Britain’s first black female bishop has claimed people need to “embrace being woke” as the Church of England last night told its parishes to set up “race action plans”.
Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who called for better data collection to monitor diversity levels, filed a motion to “encourage parishes and deaneries to develop local action plans to address issues of racial injustice”.
The motion was passed by the church’s legislative body, the General Synod, on Sunday.
Bishop Hudson-Wilkin called for emboldening the church’s governance structures on racial justice.
Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin filed a motion to “encourage parishes and deaneries to develop local action plans to address issues of racial injustice”
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She told the Synod: “When it comes to the topic of racial justice, I've heard the word 'woke' being bandied about by many people including Government ministers, certain radio presenters, those in the media.
“And in every case, they've used it incorrectly.
“The term woke originated in the USA, and it was a black terminology speaking specifically and directly to black people regarding the need to wake up and stay alert, to be consciously aware.
“So it is not just a mere word, it is a movement.
“Those who are threatened by the authenticity of this movement, want to scare us into thinking that being woke is a sin created by people on the left.”
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The motion was passed by the church’s legislative body, the General Synod, on Sunday
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Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell added: “Today, we discuss racial justice.
“Tomorrow, we will think about how we move forward into the future in response to the church's involvement in chattel slavery.
“And all of this requires us to be honest about the terrible failings of the past, not to flinch from the failings and challenges of the present, and to build a better future.”
Other members of the Church of England claimed institutional racism is “embedded” in the church.
The conversation comes as the Church of England’s first black deacon Yvonne Clarke prepares for her appeal hearing before the Privy Council tomorrow.
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell also spoke about the motion
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Clarke claimed the decision to dissolve her parish was racist.
It followed cost-cutting proposals by the Diocese of Southwark.
Clarke said: “I overcame the most upsetting racism when I first arrived in this area, from those who would not countenance a black woman priest.
“My ministry and the work of my parish council has been to take the word of God into the entire parish, and to be prevented from those acts of inclusivity has been very harsh.”
A spokesperson for the Church of England added: “It would not be appropriate for us to comment while the matter is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.”