By Sam Merriman, Social Affairs Correspondent Published: 17:31 EDT, 10 October 2024 | Updated: 22:28 EDT, 10 October 2024
Church of England priests are being offered therapy for ‘racial trauma’ they have experienced during their vocational work.The one-to-one therapy sessions are funded by the C of E’s Racial Justice Unit and will be delivered by specialists in ‘social justice and therapeutic healing’, the Church said.Titled ‘Healing Together’, the Diocese of London is offering the service to ethnic minority clergy who can apply for up to six sessions of ‘trauma-informed coaching’.The therapy sessions will explore experiences of racism and discrimination, with the diocese website asking clergy: ‘Are you struggling with the impact of racial trauma?’ Church of England priests are being offered therapy for ‘racial trauma’ they have experienced during their vocational work. This is a stock imageIt adds: ‘We recognise the burden of racial discrimination, microaggressions, and systemic injustice and how heavily this can weigh on your mental and emotional wellbeing, especially as you strive to lead others.’The C of E has faced criticism for its diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives in recent years, with critics describing the drive as ‘anti-Christian’ and a ‘death wish for the Church of England’.The Church caused consternation when it announced last year that it was setting up a £100million fund to atone for its historic links to slavery and address ‘enduring harms from enslavement’.It comes after the C of E last month advertised for a ‘head of racial justice priority’ vacancy on double the salary earned by vicars.Responsible for spearheading the creation of a ‘racially just church’ in the Diocese of London, the role comes with an annual wage of £66,646, nearly double that of parish priests in the diocese who earn £31,644. The one-to-one therapy sessions are funded by the C of E’s Racial Justice Unit and will be delivered by specialists in ‘social justice and therapeutic healing’, the Church said. This is a stock imageThe new therapy pilot scheme will allow for seven clergy to have up to six sessions, with the diocese intending to apply for further funding if the scheme is a success, it said.The therapy service was launched yesterday [THUR] by the Bishop of Edmonton, the Rt Revd Anderson Jeremiah, who is the lead bishop for racial justice in the diocese of London.He said that despite it being ‘one of the most diverse dioceses in the country’ he had heard ‘on a too-frequent basis of times when clergy have been failed or subject to harm because of the colour of their skin’.He added: ‘This trial is a landmark first step forward for the diocese, and I pray that clergy within London and beyond who have been affected by racism can find support, healing, and the continued strength to fight for change.’
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Now Church of England offers its clergy counselling for ‘racial trauma’ – after facing criticism for its diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives