The Rector's Books

FAITH IN UNIONS

Racism and Religious Exclusion

in the Faith Workers Branch of Unite the Union 2017–2020

The Revd Dr David Isiorho, has just published a book on his personal experience as the Secretary of the National Faith Workers Branch of Unite the Union. This book centers on the functioning of Unite within the wider trade union remit, but the starting point is his ministry as a Black Church of England Vicar in Cornwall. Isiorho writes from love and loyalty, but some will find his views shocking, some may even refuse to accept that this is the reality for Black people in the Church and the British Trade Union movement. This is a carefully written book that deserves careful reading. It will be eye opening for many, reassuring for some that they are not as alone as they sometimes feel.

Faith in Unions is dedicated to the Cabal who now control the Faith Workers branch of Unite the Union. Our prayer is that they might reflect and re-think their direction of travel. Faith in Unions is also dedicated to Len McCluskey, on whose watch as General Secretary of Unite the Union, the events recorded in this book took place. His support for Dr Isiorho and the Faith Workers Branch was non-existent.

So, this book is about hurt, and it may be perceived as hurtful, certainly by those who are called to account. Isiorho’s bravery comes clearly through, as does his hopeful fidelity to the God and the Church that he loves. Throughout he does not seek to be vindictive rather he searches to show the salvific and redeeming love of Christ which, together with the energizing Holy Spirit, can see real reform, profound healing. That is his prayer in this moving and challenging piece.

Faith in Unions is a personal account, representing a critique of Whiteness and Black marginality in the Faith Workers Trade Union. In short, it is a Black theology critique of the way Muslim and Hindu faith workers have been treated in the British Labour movement. This book clearly has things to say about discriminatory practices, which puts the discussion about Englishness and Britishness into a wider context. Isiorho is suggesting a political agenda associated with English ethnicity as the mode of involvement to explain policies that are likely to result in racialised religious exclusion. Faith in Unions gives focus to Muslim and Hindu workplace groupings within the Faith Workers Branch and the opposition to their formation from Anglican and Methodist Christian members. Isiorho is concerned with the struggle for faith recognition within a discriminatory and institutionally racist union structure. This book offers an explicit exploration of what he means by "the racialised other" in the context of the British Labour movement. In this we need to understand the ways historical Christianity has defined Black identities. Isiorho’s conclusion hopefully will start a wider discussion of Englishness and English exclusivity.

This book is also a companion volume to Dr Isiorho’s publication – MISSION, ANGUISH AND DEFIANCE: A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF BLACK CLERGY DEPLOYMENT IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

In that book Isiorho has included the views of many other Black clergy and draws the conclusion that a great resource for the Church is being underused, marginalized. Isiorho writes movingly from his experience. Despite being highly qualified and with a track record of leading churches to growth, he is continually passed over or misinterpreted by the overwhelmingly White church systems.

DAVID ISIORHO, was born in Windsor, studied at Liverpool for his first degree, and worked as a social worker in London before ordination. He trained for ministry at Westcott House Cambridge and completed his curacy at St Mary’s Abbey, Nuneaton. He continued to study part-time and complete a Master’s degree at Warwick University and a Doctorate at Bradford. He is now The Rector of the Loggerheads Benefice in the Diocese of Lichfield where many of his parishioners have read his books and understand where he is coming from.

Publishers: Wipf and Stock Publishers.