National celebration marking 25 years of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice

The Changing Face of Britain
Saturday, 7 November 2009

Over 400 people attended the national day of celebrations at Westminster Cathedral to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ). Also joining the celebrations were several bishops from the Dioceses of England and Wales, the Archbishop of Westminster, Ethnic Chaplains and Clergy.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols challenged the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) to act on words found in Pope Benedict’s third Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate to use globalisation to make us brothers and sisters.

Celebrating Mass at Westminster Cathedral as part of the 25th anniversary celebration, Archbishop Nichols paid tribute to “the steady and structured” progress of CARJ since it began. “Love and truth have been central as it responded to needs,” said Archbishop Nichols. He referred to the difficulties with the Human Rights Act, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission and the new Single Equalities Act in finding a balance between different groups and individuals.

Others concelebrating the Mass included Archbishop Peter Smith of Cardiff, Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham, Bishop Kieran Conry of Arundel and Brighton, Bishop Pat Lynch, Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark, Bishop Declan Lang of Clifton, Bishop John Rawsthorne of Hallam, Bishop Brian Noble of Shrewsbury and Bishop Howard Tripp. Many Ethnic Chaplains and clergy also concelebrated.

Earlier in the day, Labour MP John Battle said there was still much to be done “to build an inclusive Church and society.” Mr Battle recalled that despite legislative moves like the passing of the Race Relations Act, racism is still very much alive and society is not as tolerant as some believe. The MP for Leeds West illustrated how global issues have become very much local issues in his own constituency with asylum seekers and migrants from all over the world coming in. He recalled how the Rwandan conflict between Hutus and Tutsis had erupted in microcosm between two families living in the same block in his constituency. “It's a challenge to the Church to address the local. We have to ask whether there's a moral responsibility to know the person next door. If we don’t act now how can we build a community of brothers and sisters?” said Mr Battle, who suggested that when it comes to who lives next door, many people have quite a list of what they don’t want. “The Church has to mix solidarity and prayer together in real action. We must reach out to neighbours so community can be built between brothers and sisters in their own neighbourhoods.”

Fellow Labour MP Jon Cruddas emphasised the importance of CARJ's work over the next few years. "Politicians appear be withdrawing from the central issues of distributional and racial justice; more beholden to powerful media and corporate elites. At the same time the ‘shopping and celebrity’ culture empties out our conception of humanity to one built around the consumption of more and more things; of self-obsession and narcissism," said Mr Cruddas. "It's within the Church that we find this conception of modernity being challenged. Here we find a different approach to self-realisation and humanity; one that pivots around a fundamental belief in equality. CARJ has played a leading role in developing and sustaining this position for a quarter of a century. Long may it continue. We are entering more austere times. The work of CARJ is even more vital than ever."

The Queen's chaplain, Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin (Church of England vicar of Holy Trinity, Dalston) called for society to foster a sense of belonging toward those coming from outside to new communities in this country. "You cannot get belonging if you are not welcomed. The Church must lead the way in giving a good welcome. If others are to feel a sense of belonging we must make space in the community."

Reverend Hudson-Wilkin also who called for those in communities to come forward and take responsibility. “We must reflect on the Changing Face of Britain rejoicingly not grudgingly – all of us are made in the image of God. We are our brother’s keeper so must strive for real community cohesion.”

A new St Martin de Porres medal was introduced to be awarded on an annual basis. The first five recipients were CARJ’s first president Bishop Howard Tripp, the first chair Tony Lobo, Yogi Sutton, former chair and now vice-chair Haynes Baptiste and trustee Richard Zipfel.

Khola Hasan a Muslim working on interfaith dialogue told how the Muslim community feel under attack today. "Muslims make up three percent of the population yet make up 10 percent of the prison population." She recalled how on the recent Question Time programme with BNP leader Nick Griffin the panellists had been quick to pick up racist and homophobic comments but not his attacks on Islam. Ms Hasan said that the tabloid press had a lot to answer for in terms of misrepresenting Muslims: "Muslims are portrayed as very violent and extreme. Faith communities do an amazing amount of charitable work and Muslims are at the forefront of that but it does not make the news.”

Addressing the final session of the day with young people, writer Bonnie Greer recalled her recent experiences as a member of the Question Time panel with Nick Griffin. She described the BNP leader as “nothing but hot air and mirrors.” Ms Greer expressed her hope that young people would “not be reluctant to tackle ignorance.”

Drawn from articles by Paul Donovan in The Catholic Times and The Universe.

Contact

For more information and to get involved in the work of CARJ, please contact:

Rosie Bairwal
Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ)
9 Henry Road
London
N4 2LH

Tel: 020 8802 8080
Email: info@carj.org.uk
Web: carj.org.uk