If you thought the Church of England couldn’t get more out of touch, think again.
The Diocese of Norwich has rolled out a new “anti-racist toolkit” aimed at making churches in one of England’s least diverse regions more… diverse. Because, apparently, Norfolk’s 94% white population needs to be re-educated on “racial justice.”
This latest initiative, developed by the diocese’s Racial Justice Action Group, warns that Christianity was historically spread through “racist European ideologies.” Yes, you read that right—the Church of England is now implying that the very faith it claims to uphold was built on racism. Instead of focusing on biblical truth, the guide suggests clergy “move away from Eurocentric prayers” and incorporate “diverse languages and topics” into their services, as reported by The Christian Post.
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One of the most bizarre recommendations is a prayer for “Racial Justice Sunday,” which includes both repentance for historical wrongdoings and a celebration of “a holy family, a rainbow people.” It also directs clergy to external sources, like the website PrayerCast, to help them craft prayers on global issues. Because, apparently, the Bible isn’t sufficient for guiding the prayers of the faithful anymore.
But it doesn’t stop there. Even churches with zero ethnic diversity are encouraged to display images that “represent diversity.” It’s as if the Church of England believes virtue-signaling is the primary function of the church, rather than, say, preaching the Gospel.
/**/The justification for this push? According to Bishop Jane Steen, it’s to ensure inclusion in an “increasingly diverse society.” She argues that Norfolk’s hospitals and industries benefit from people with origins outside the U.K., so naturally, the Church must reorient itself around identity politics.
This whole effort is part of a larger ideological shift within the Church of England, which has been chasing progressive trends since the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. The denomination’s General Synod even endorsed a report called “From Lament to Action,” which calls for revisiting historical ties to the slave trade and even removing monuments linked to colonialism.
Not everyone is on board, though. The Rev. Ian Paul of St. Nic’s in Nottingham has rightly questioned whether this is the best use of resources. He pointed out that many parishes are struggling with a shortage of clergy, yet the Church seems more interested in woke posturing than addressing its own glaring problems.
At the end of the day, the Church of England seems more committed to keeping up with secular ideology than standing firm on biblical truth. Maybe it’s time for the Church to repent for neglecting its actual mission: preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
