The Commission for Promoting Racial and Cultural Inclusion, part of the Caritas Southwark family, continues to play a vital role in helping our Archdiocese grow as a community where every culture and story is valued.
Earlier this month, the Commission hosted a special evening webinar titled “Together in Christ: A Jubilee of Hope”, offering a gentle space to pause, reflect and share how our cultural and ethnic identities can be celebrated within parish life.
We were joined by Father Philip Sumner, Parish Priest of Our Lady and St Patrick in Oldham, widely recognised for his long-standing commitment to racial justice in the Church and wider society. Interviewed by Deacon Alfred Banya, Fr Philip shared profound and practical insights into how faith communities can become places of genuine welcome, where difference is embraced as a gift. The lively Q&A which followed reflected a shared desire for the Church to continue growing as a home for all, rooted in the love of Christ.
Throughout October, we also marked Black History Month through a series of posts on our social media channels, celebrating Black saints and holy people whose courage and faith continue to inspire. Figures such as St Josephine Bakhita and St Charles Lwanga were among those featured, their stories reminding us that holiness transcends every culture, time and place.
This online series, run jointly with the Commission, formed part of our ongoing commitment to promoting racial justice and inclusion across the Archdiocese. Alongside it, we encouraged parishes to explore the Racial Justice Toolkit — a free parish resource developed by members of the Commission to help local communities begin or deepen their own journey of reflection and action.
Looking ahead, we’ll be exploring new ways to share stories and reflections online, from short videos to creative campaigns celebrating faith in action across our diverse Archdiocese.
