In a week in which we’ve been celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit to ‘Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia…’ (and so the list goes on), the issue of race has temporarily displaced Covid-19 at the top of the headlines. The brutal killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has unleashed a wave of protests in the USA, to which the President’s response has only added fuel to the fire; and two powerful three-word phrases, ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘I Can’t Breathe’ have expressed the outrage felt by many both tragically and eloquently.

Back here in the UK, Covid-19 itself is having a disproportionate impact on our black and Asian (BAME) communities too, in a way that raises uncomfortable questions about the continuing inequalities in our own society; and while there’s been some progress made in our major institutions (the Church included) it’s often been painfully patchy and slow. Quite what the post-Covid world will look like remains a very open question: but it would be good to pray and work towards the development of a fairer society.

For any of our BAME brothers and sisters who are struggling with all that has been happening this week, please be assured of our support: we kneel with you. And please feel free to speak with Folo Olokose (our BAME Champion), Rev Bev Hunt, your Archdeacon or one of the bishops if you would value that too.

A Prayer: God of Love, you see and share in the hurt and injustice of our world. We pray for change, for justice and equality between men and women, old and young, irrespective of colour and socio-economic status. Help us to work together for unity and fairness, for the sake of the Christ who died for us all, Amen.

Blessings,

Bishop Andrew