09/09/2026
The day-long event - which was established following recommendations in the 2021 report, 'From Lament to Action' - is held annually to celebrate the contribution to the Church of England of clergy, ordinands, lay ministers and those on vocational pathways from Global Majority Heritage and UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
Attended by more than 150 people from across the Church of England, the event brought together those from different backgrounds, to meet and support one another, to reflect on the progress made in the five years since 'From Lament to Action', as well as the ongoing opportunities and challenges. Celebrating and reflecting the diversity of the Church of England and Anglican Communion, Zimbabwean singers from the Zinafe Choir sang during the day and at the Eucharist, while writer and youth worker, Ceyon King, read poetry.
Welcoming guests to the palace, Bishop Rosemarie and Bishop Arun gave powerful reflections on the role of the Church of England and its response to recent incidents of racism and the use of Christian symbols at far-right marches across the country.
Bishop Rosemarie said: "Five years on since the publication of From Lament to Action, while there is much to celebrate, there is much more to do to counter racism and discrimination.
"In the same week that hundreds of masked vigilantes marched on Dover and Portsmouth, and a vicar has been surrounded by anti-immigration protesters at Doncaster Minster, it is clear racial justice is more needed than ever.
"Fear of the stranger is being performed as a public spectacle, and conflict is being brought directly into our sacred spaces.
"Racial justice must not be a marginal agenda, but a test of both national and ecclesial identity, about whether this country and the church can tell the truth about history, protect the dignity of racialised people, and offer a theological vision of belonging that lives out Jesus' call to welcome the stranger."
Bishop Arun said: "Events such as this, and the promotion of racial justice in the Church of England, have never felt so vital.
"The Church of England and its leadership must rediscover its voice in opposing the tidal wave of nationalism, and challenge those who yoke nationalism with Christianity.
"This wave of nationalism – which so often co-opts the cross – is the biggest threat to our social fabric, the foundations of our communities and any sense of unity within this United Kingdom.
"It is not the cross of Christ which is on display, but rather an accessory utilised by opportunists who fail to understand the sacrificial, self- giving, triumphant love exhibited by Jesus on the cross.
"As a church, we need to be unequivocal in our theology that our citizenship is of the Kingdom of God, and that our identity is found first in Jesus Christ."
Guests took part in a series of reflective sessions, hearing about racial justice projects and initiatives around the country. These include 'Hong Kongers in the Church of England', a national body established to support the growing numbers of Hong Kong Christians in Church of England parishes; the 'Simon of Cyrene Programme', designed for clergy from GMH backgrounds taking on senor leadership roles in the church, through mentoring, networking and coaching; and the work being done around racial justice in the Diocese of Chichester.
In the afternoon session, Archbishop Sarah and Archbishop Stephen took part in a conversation with Bishop Rosemarie and Bishop Arun, as well as taking questions.
Asked about how people from GMH and UKME backgrounds are feeling increasingly threatened, and the misuse of Christian symbols, Archbishop Sarah said: "I think we're all becoming aware that we have created a society where people feel that it is acceptable to intimidate others.
"I think there is an increasing responsibility on Christian leaders to speak up and not be silent, because silence itself encourages a society in which people think it's alright to intimidate in this way."
She added: "How do we, in our communities, try and engage with people who clearly are seeking something, to enable them to find Christ and not to use Christ in the way they do?
"I think there is a real challenge for us as churches about how we engage with some of those people that are seeking things."
Archbishop Stephen said: "It is deeply, deeply shocking to hear what you and your sisters and brothers have experienced. I do think we as a Church of England, and indeed with our ecumenical neighbours, need to keep pressing that, yes, of course it's racial justice, but also it's justice.
"It's the gospel. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ because it's about the new humanity we have in Christ.
"I'm afraid that isn’t in itself going to stop those things happening.
"But it may mean the church is better equipped to not just challenge but denounce these false narratives.
"We need to challenge them with a better story, which is the story of God in Jesus Christ."
Reflecting on the value that every community brings to the church, Archbishop Sarah told guests: "I want to thank you for the contribution that you make to the church and to our communities.
"You bring so much. I am grateful for your ministry. I see you and I recognise the contribution that you make.
"We have a long way to go with racial justice, but for me it is a joy seeing you in this building.
"You sitting in here begins to transform it.”
Archbishop Stephen said: “I rejoice that we are becoming the church that God wants us to be - that that great Biblical vision of every tribe and every tongue and every nation.
"That is what the church is meant to be, and I rejoice in it. I lament when the church doesn't reflect that diversity.”
Before everyone sat down for dinner in the evening, Archbishop Sarah presided at the Eucharist service, with Bishop Timothy Wambunya reading from the Book of Galatians, and Bishop Rosemarie reading from the Book of Matthew. Archbishop Stephen delivered the sermon, preaching on the importance of growing a more diverse church, recognising Jesus in one another, and reaching out to those who are excluded and in need.