RJS Newsletter Special Edition February 2024

MARCH 24
One in Christ
ISSUE 8
NEWSLETTER
of the Commission for Promoting
Racial & Cultural Inclusion
RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY SPECIAL
On Sunday 28 January, St George’s Cathedral was overflowing as
the faithful gathered to celebrate holy Mass on Racial Justice
Sunday. People of every nation and race attended. Families, and
schools, communities and charities held aloft their banners or
waved flags from their countries of heritage. All gathered to unite
as one body in Christ.

As Archbishop John Wilson processed along the aisle he was flanked
by the Knights of St Columba who mounted a guard of honour. Local
school children gave the first and second readings and people of six
different nations delivered the prayer of the faithful, each in their own
native language. Archbishop John gave a very powerful homily and
stated very clearly that racism was totally unacceptable. The Mass was
accompanied by music from the Cathedral’s Choir and also the Ave
Maria Choir from the Ghanaian community. Celebrations continued
afterwards in Amigo Hall where the congregation was treated to more
singing (and dancing) from the Ave Maria Choir as they enjoyed
refreshments.
Read the full homily here:
Homily of Archbishop John Wilson
“I WANT TO MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT IN OUR CHURCH AND IN OUR SOCIETY, IN OUR
NATION AND IN OUR WORLD, THERE IS NO PLACE FOR RACISM. NEVER. EVER. NO MATTER
WHAT.” ARCHBISHOP JOHN WILSON, HOMILY
WATCH THE FULL MASS BY CLICKING ON THE IMAGE BELOW
https://bit.ly/RJS24

MASS COMMENCED WITH A
VIBRANT ENTRANCE
PROCESSION AND INCLUDED
PEOPLE FROM ALL NATIONS
AND COMMUNITIES HOLDING
ALOFT THEIR BANNERS AND
FLAGS
MOMENTS FROM THE MASS

MOMENTS FROM THE MASS
The prayers of the faithful were
read in six different languages,
Igbo, Tagalog, Japanese, English,
Yoruba and Goan.
“I have to say to you that it is an
immeasurable blessing that our
Archdiocese is so richly
international and so ethnically
abundant and diverse.” Homily
“When we gather for the Eucharist
we see in each other the face of
Christ who draws us to himself and
into unity with each other” Homily
Sadly, children from ethnic
minorities are among those who
experience racism Archbishop
John reminded us.

MOMENTS FROM THE MASS
You will never meet anyone that
God does not already love. “I see in
you the face of Christ”. Love one
another said Jesus - there are no
get out clauses. Homily
Along with the Cathedral choir,
we were blessed with the
attendance of the joyous Ave
Maria Ghanaian choir
Canon Victor Darlington thanked
Archbishop John Wilson whom he
referred to as “The Sower” for
appointing him as Episcopal Vicar for
promoting a Commission for Racial &
Cultural Inclusion - unique in the
whole of England and Wales.

THE THEME FOR RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY 2024
“SEEING ONE ANOTHER IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH”
It is important to recognise that we are all children of God,
regardless of our race or background. The Church says this year’s
theme seeks to promote reflection, discussion and action on this
issue and to encourage us to carry this through in the weeks and
months after Racial Justice Sunday.
Let us celebrate the diversity of those who have led holy and
exemplary lives. Our Catholic saints walked in this world, as we do
now, and were men and women of heroic virtue and who will now,
from heaven, intercede for us to bring our prayers to the Lord.
One such saint is Josephine Bakhita whose feast we celebrate on the
8 February (also the day for Victims of Human Trafficking). She was
born in 1869, in Olgossa, Darfur (now in Sudan) and died on 8
February 1947 in Italy. This Catholic saint survived kidnapping and
enslavement and is the patron saint of Sudan and of victims of
human trafficking.

STATUE OF ST JOSEPHINE BAKHITA
FOR ST GEORGE’S CATHEDRAL
It was also announced by Archbishop John Wilson that St
George’s Cathedral would soon be unveiling a statue of this
great saint. As we await more news on the unveiling let us
pray for her intercession.
Prayer
Loving God, rewarder of the humble, you blessed St.
Josephine Bakhita with charity and patience. May her
prayers help us, and her example inspire us to carry our
cross and to love you always. Pour upon us the spirit of
wisdom and love with which you filled St. Josephine
Bakhita. By serving you as she did, may we please you by
our faith and our actions. Grant this through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Unseen
Unfortunately what Saint Josephine suffered still goes on
today. Have you been affected by modern slavery or what is
known as people trafficking? Or do you suspect someone
may be a victim of this inhuman crime? The organisation
Unseen provides safe houses and support in the community
for survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery. They
also run the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and
work with individuals, communities, business, governments,
other charities and statutory agencies such as the NHS to
stamp out slavery for good. Call their care line on 08000
121 700 or visit their website unseenuk.org

It Must Not End Here!
At the close of the Mass, Canon Victor said a few words
and gave his grateful thanks for all who participated at
such a splendid occasion.
But he also reminded us that as we leave our joyful
celebrations here at the Cathedral on this Racial Justice
Sunday morning, what we have learnt from Archbishop
John’s homily, and the loving unity we have experienced
as brothers and sisters in Christ, must become part of our
everyday lives in the weeks and months to come.
He urged parishes to build on this by becoming actively
involved in working for racial harmony and stamping out
racism.
Ways they could do this would be to:
speak to your parish priest
invite our team to come along to guide your parish on
the way forward
sign up for our bi-monthly newsletter
contact us (see our contact details at the end of this
newsletter)

St Margaret’s Carshalton Beeches - a model of
inclusion
St Margaret’s has been making a concerted effort to stamp out racism
and ensure every one who enters their doors is treated like a brother and
sister in Christ, in a very practical way. To summarise what they have
been doing...
Displaying multicultural images in the church, especially of Mary who
always appears as a local lady in whichever country she makes her
apparition.
Striving to sell a range of items in the repository which reflect images
of people from other races and communities, for example on the
front of First Holy Communion cards.
Increasing the ethnic diversity of its lectors and Extraordinary
Ministers of Holy Communion
Featuring a ‘Saint of the Month’ in the newsletter from a range of
different countries
Organising multi-cultural Pentecost Sunday celebrations
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ANYTHING THAT YOUR OWN PARISH
DOES TO INCLUDE AND WELCOME ETHNIC MINORITIES PLEASE LET US
KNOW, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT.
ANDREA FERNANDES CO-CHAIR OF ST MARGARET’S RACIAL & CULTURAL INCLUSION GROUP
ST MARGARET OF SCOTLAND, FIR TREE GROVE, CARSHALTON, SURREY SM5 2JD

NOTICE BOARD
Caritas one year anniversary Mass, St George’s Cathedral
12.30pm Saturday 16 March 2024. In addition to
Catholic Education and Racial & Cultural Inclusion, Canon
Victor is also the Episcopal Vicar for the installation of
Caritas in the Archdiocese of Southwark. Come and
celebrate the one year launch Mass with us. For further
information contact caritassouthwark@rcaos.org.uk
CARJ (Catholic Action for Racial Justice) is 40 years old!
Established in June 1984 and consisting of just 25
founding members it was seen as an organisation where
ethnic minorities could find support and a voice and
where people of all backgrounds could work together for
racial justice. Check out their website to find out how
they are celebrating at carj.org.uk

SAINTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
FEAST AND COMMEMORATION DAYS IN FEBRUARY
ST JEROME EMILIAN 1481-1537 (Venice, Italy),
patron saint of orphans and abandoned children, 8
FEBRUARY
ST JOSEPHINE BAKHITA 1869-1947 (Sudan), patron
saint of victims of human trafficking, 8 FEBRUARY
ST SCHOLASTICA, virgin, 480-543 (Italy) patron saint
of Benedictine nuns, education and convulsive
children, 10 FEBRUARY
ST PETER DAMIAN, bishop, doctor 1007-1072, (Italy)
21 FEBRUARY
ST POLYCARP, bishop, martyr, (Smyrna) patron saint
of earache sufferers, 23 February
ST GREGORY OF NAREK, abbot and doctor of the
church, 950-1003 (Armenia) 27 February

THE TEAM
Episcopal Vicar for racial & Cultural
inclusion Canon Victor Darlington
CONTACT US
Episcopal Vicar for Racial & Cultural
Inclusion, Canon Victor Darlington
Administrative Assistant
Carmel Urbanoviez
Sub Committees:
Road Map for Parishes - RJ&CI Hubs:
Deacon Alfred Banya
John Siruat
Fr Valentine Erhahon
Event Planners:
Jude Onye (Coordinator)
Nana Anto-Awuakya
Robert Emejuru
Delia Jameson
Paul Cavadino
Chaplaincy Engagements:
Jennifer Da Silva (Coordinator)
Fr Patrick D’Souza
Marlon Andino
Newsletter Editor:
Carmel Urbanoviez
Park House, 6a Cresswell Park
Blackheath, London SE3 9RD
email:
racialjusticecommission@rcaos.org.uk
carmelurbanoviez@rcaos.org.uk
Telephone: 0333 188 1385
© Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark
2021
Archdiocese of Southwark
A charitable incorporated organisation –
registered incorporated charity number
1173050