We recognise that there is deep injustice affecting people of colour. Racism affects individuals but it also is institutional and systemic. That means it is present in and damages all or our communities and churches.
The Diocese of Leeds is a diverse and significant body and has an important part to play in influencing for racial justice and the Common Good.
We can strengthen this by exploring change internally in ourselves, our parishes and our Diocese. Then we can look outwards and seek to influence wider society.
Whilst racial injustice has made the headlines in recent years, we know that experiences of racism are longstanding. Many statements have been made in response to injustice. However, the J&P Commission wants a commitment to racial justice to be more than well-meaning statements and occasional gestures
We also believe that addressing racism is a matter for us all and not just for people of colour. However, we want to begin by listening to the experiences and views of Catholics of colour. So, our first step in becoming an effective and inclusive anti racist organisation is to create a platform for Black and minority ethnic Catholics in the diocese to share their experiences, needs and gifts, with the aim of forming a Racial Justice Action Group. We are only too aware that, as a Commission, we do not reflect the existing diversity within the Diocese.
We have asked Leeds Citizens to work with this group to offer a way of organising which moves from listening to bring lasting change. This will involve training, reflection on current experience, building a team and then developing a plan for action to bring change.
So, we will create – on line or, where it is practical, face to face – listening workshops where your voices and experiences of racism in society and in the church will be heard. We want to get to a better understanding of what life is like for Catholics of colour, and ensure that in the Leeds Diocese all are safe, seen, heard and respected.
Through this process, we believe three things will happen:
• Those who take part will develop their skills, confidence and leadership.
• Our parishes and Diocese will be strengthened and have a more vibrant and clear voice in society.
• We shall see positive change for racial justice in our Diocese and in society.
This is not an indefinite commitment, nor is it a vague effort. We are asking people to join a group with a focus and work with us over the coming months.
We have an important, exciting and practical plan- but we need you, as an individual, family, parish or organisation in order to carry out this plan .
This listening and working together will strengthen inclusion and welcome among us and enable the diocese to have a stronger influence for racial justice and the common good in wider society.
Tunatambua kwamba kuna ukosefu mkubwa wa haki unaowagusa watu wenye rangi. Ubaguzi wa rangi huathiri watu mmoja-mmoja lakini pia ni wa kitaasisi na wa mfumo. Hii inamaanisha kuwa kuna uharibifu kwa jamii zetu na makanisa. Askofu Mkuu wa Leeds ni mtu wa maana na mwenye nguvu na ana jukumu muhimu la kuathiri haki ya kikabila na wema wa kawaida. Tunaweza kuimarisha hili kwa kuchunguza mabadiliko ya ndani ndani yetu, parokia zetu na dayosisi yetu. Kisha tunaweza kutazama nje na kutafuta kuathiri jamii pana. Ingawa ukosefu wa haki wa rangi umekuwa kichwa cha habari katika miaka ya hivi karibuni, tunajua kwamba uzoefu wa ubaguzi wa rangi ni wa muda mrefu. Taarifa nyingi zimetolewa kwa sababu ya ukosefu wa haki. Tume ya J&P inataka kujitolea kwa haki ya rangi kuwa zaidi ya taarifa zenye nia nzuri na ishara za mara kwa mara, lakini pia tunaamini kwamba kushughulikia ubaguzi wa rangi ni suala la sisi sote na sio kwa watu wa rangi tu. Hata hivyo, tunataka kuanza kwa kusikiliza uzoefu na maoni ya Wakatoliki wenye rangi. """Hatua yetu ya kwanza katika kuwa shirika la kupambana na ubaguzi wa rangi na kujumuisha ni kuunda jukwaa kwa Wakatoliki weusi na wachache wa kikabila katika dayosisi kushiriki uzoefu wao, mahitaji na zawadi, kwa lengo la kuunda Kikundi cha Utendaji wa Haki ya Jamii." Tunajua sana kwamba, kama Tume, hatuonyeshi utofauti uliopo ndani ya Dayosisi. """Tumewaomba wananchi wa Leeds kufanya kazi na kikundi hiki kutoa njia ya kuandaa ambayo inahama kutoka kusikiliza kuleta mabadiliko ya kudumu." Hii itahusisha mafunzo, kutafakari juu ya uzoefu wa sasa, kujenga timu na kisha kuendeleza mpango wa hatua ya kuleta mabadiliko. Kwa hivyo, tutaunda <unk> mtandaoni au, ambapo ni rahisi, uso kwa uso <unk> warsha za kusikiliza ambapo sauti zako na uzoefu wako wa ubaguzi wa rangi katika jamii na kanisani utasikika. """Tunataka kupata uelewa bora wa maisha ya Wakatoliki wa rangi, na kuhakikisha kwamba katika Dayosisi ya Leeds wote wako salama, kuonekana, kusikilizwa na kuheshimiwa." Katika mchakato huu, tunaamini mambo matatu yatatokea: • Wale wanaoshiriki wataendeleza ujuzi wao, ujasiri na uongozi. • Parokia zetu na Dayosisi zitaimarishwa na kuwa na sauti yenye nguvu na wazi zaidi katika jamii. • Tutaona mabadiliko mazuri kwa ajili ya haki ya kikabila katika Dayosisi yetu na katika jamii. Huo si wajibu wa muda usiojulikana, wala si jitihada isiyoeleweka. Tunataka watu wajiunge na kikundi na kufanya kazi na sisi katika miezi ijayo. Tuna mpango muhimu, wa kusisimua na wa vitendo - lakini tunakuhitaji, kama mtu binafsi, familia, parokia au shirika ili kutekeleza mpango huu. "Kusikiliza na kufanya kazi pamoja kuimarisha ujumuishaji na kukaribisha miongoni mwetu na kuwezesha dayosisi kuwa na ushawishi mkubwa kwa haki ya kikabila na wema wa kawaida katika jamii pana. """