Racial Justice

About

Primary Task

The Anglican Communion has defined the mission of the world-wide church under 5 Marks of Mission. The 4^th Mark of Mission is: ‘To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation’.

The primary task of this committee is to work towards a fully integrated and racially inclusive church in Bermuda committed to the elimination of racism, justice for all, education, awareness and action on issues surrounding race as part of the 4^th Mark of Mission.

Terms of Reference

To review, educate and act on the past, present and future

The Past

• To conduct a review of the racial history of the Anglican Church of Bermuda
• To review past reports on Racism from 1997 and 2004
• To assist the Synod to repent of past sins of a racial nature
• To celebrate the contribution of black Anglicans to the life of the Anglican Church of Bermuda
• To develop liturgies that help to celebrate significant people and events in the life of the Anglican Church of Bermuda

The Present

• To educate the church leadership and membership on issues of racial justice and inclusion, white privilege and other systemic issues associated with race
• To prepare a Charter for Racial Justice to be approved by Synod and adopted as part of the Canons and Constitution of the Church
• To review and recommend leadership development, appointment and deployment of a racially diverse leadership that reflects the society at every level of the Church’s hierarchy
• To promote racial reconciliationTo co-opt ad hoc sub committees/ working groups to implement the terms of reference with representation from across the Diocese
• To work alongside other agencies outside of the church that promote the uprooting of racism in Bermuda
• To promote annual lectures on issues of being a racially inclusive church
• To present a budget to Synod for the work of the committee
• To meet once a quarter or as necessary to fulfill these terms of reference
• To make a report to the Annual General Meeting of the Synod on its activities

The Future

• To assist the church in envisioning a the racially diverse church of the future
• To review and reflect on the need for reparations/ restitution
• To provide appropriate resources and symbols of racial reconciliation and healing – through education, bursaries, and civic engagement.
• Any other responsibility as delegated to it by the Bishop, Synod or Standing Committee