Page 7 - Presbyterian Connection

Connection
JUSTICE
Working Toward an End to Racism
presbyterian.ca
FALL 2022
PRESBYTERIAN
7
By the Life and Mission Agency
The Presbyterian Church in Can- ada confesses that the church is called to reject and oppose rac- ism. In Living Faith 8.4.6, we say that “[J]ustice opposes prejudice in every form. It rejects discrimi- nation on such grounds as race, sex, age, status or handicap. Jus- tice stands with our neighbours in their struggle for dignity and re- spect and demands the exercise of power for the common good.”
It is notable that Living Faith calls us to both reject and oppose, since opposing goes further than simply “rejecting.” Rejecting rac- ism entails calling it out when one sees or hears it, saying it is wrong and showing it won’t be tolerat- ed—and, certainly, taking those steps is necessary. Opposing racism, however, requires taking an active stance against racism. It means intentionally working to identify, challenge and eliminate racism in all the ways that it oc- curs—in attitudes, practices, systems and structures. This ac- tive stance is often referred to as “anti-racism.”
In 1972, The Presbyterian Church in Canada affirmed that, “racism practiced by the white- skinned against their darker- skinned brothers is one of the world’s basic problems, and a bla- tant denial of the Christian faith.”
This statement rightly ac- knowledges racism as a society- wide evil that is incompatible with the Christian faith. And yet, insti- tutions in Canada, including the church, have racially biased prin- ciples and practices that privilege some and harm others. Such ra- cially biased principles and prac- tices are part of systemic racism. The only way to overcome sys- temic racism is to intentionally
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The Rev. Glen Sampson and Norma Aucoin of the Northern New Brunswick Regional Ministry (PCC) spoke about the specific challenges of the crisis in their ru- ral context, such as a lack of ac- cess to services, and some of the ways several churches are work- ing together to respond.
The church has said that ef- fective responses to the opioid
and actively work to end it.
This year, the General Assem- bly adopted a motion that will begin the process of working to make the PCC an anti-racist church. Supported by the Life and Mission Agency, the process will begin this year with signifi- cant consultation. It will review the church’s history and policies and begin preparing an anti-rac- ism covenant and accompanying strategies. The progress made at this preliminary stage of the pro- cess will be reported to the next General Assembly. We cannot comprehend the work that will be required to eliminate racism in the church and become an anti-racist church without having a clear pic-
ture of our past.
In order to move forward, we
must know and remember the past and deal openly and honestly with it. One of the first steps in do- ing so is to review what The Pres- byterian Church in Canada has said and done, and when it has been silent concerning racism in Canada. Looking at what the church has said must always be done in the larger context of the church’s actions, which includes what the church has not done.
Though the church has not lived up fully to the calls for love, justice and discipleship, there is much the church has done with regards to rejecting and opposing racism. A historical review, begin- ning with the 1960s, was con- ducted and submitted to the Gen- eral Assembly; it can be found in this year’s report of the Life and Mission Agency. The review is in- tended to help ground the church in its history, so that what now needs to be done—and where to begin this work—is clear. As the report states, while speaking against racism in some areas, the
crisis need to remove shame and stigma and address the suffering of people. They must acknowl- edge that addictions are caused by numerous factors that are often beyond the control of any one person, community or level of government. The church has advocated for safe consumption/ injection services as life-saving, harm-reducing programs. Con-
church continued to be shaped by racism in others, notably in run- ning Residential Schools. All of this is important to remember as the church begins to work on an anti-racism covenant.
Racism is multifaceted; that is to say, it operates at institutional, societal and individual levels and can flourish even without individ- ual intention. In fact, people who do not hold overtly racist views may be completely unaware of their participation in racist sys- tems, which contributes to the continuation of racism. Conse- quently, the denomination’s work to oppose racism must include learning: coming to recognize racism and to comprehend the complex ways that it confers ad- vantage to some racial and ethnic groups to the detriment of others. The learning will be continuous and ever-changing, as the way racism is perceived and spoken about in public discourse evolves. Therefore, the understanding of racism held by the PCC will need to be similarly dynamic and open to change.
Since The Presbyterian Church in Canada is a community of peo- ple, there is every reason to expect that racism continues to operate within the life of the church and its ministries. Having good belief statements is important—this denomination affirms Christian teaching that all people bear the image of God and that Christ died for all. But holding this belief does not preclude racism. Opposing racism must begin by recognizing it for what it is. The work before the church will require pastoral conversation, listening within and among church communities, and within that dialogue, discern- ing the various ways that racism is being expressed. Identifying,
gregations have been encouraged to consider having a naloxone kit on site and acquiring proper train- ing for its use.
More information, including ac- cess to a recording of the speak- ers’ presentations, is available online on the Social Action Hub: presbyterian.ca/justice/social- action/health-and-well-being.
confessing and addressing in- stances of racism in The Presby- terian Church in Canada will entail prayerful diligence, seeking the mind of Christ, and an openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It will mean listening to and learn- ing from those within and outside the church who have lived experi- ence of racism, in order to deter- mine the best ways for the church to oppose racism.
The urgency and importance of anti-racism work in Canada are
calls for The Presbyterian Church in Canada to move forward with deeper understanding and strengthened commitment. Re- ports on this work will be printed by the Life and Mission Agency in future editions of the Presbyterian Connection newspaper to support the church as it works through hard and critical questions about this essential work.
For more information see pres- byterian.ca/justice/social-action/ anti-racism.
An anti-racism covenant would involve:
• developing a robust theological framework for understanding racism and this denomination’s response to it, including how our response is grounded in our faith commitments;
• providing an educational resource for Presbyterians to improve their knowledge and understanding of racism and to inspire their commitment to anti-racism endeavours;
• providing a basis for decisions about resource allocation among possible anti-racism projects;
• guiding the denomination in achieving coherence, consistency and accountability with regard to its anti-racism efforts.
Find worship planners, lectionary resources, special prayers and seasonal resources at presbyterian.ca/worship