The role of the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns (CMEAC) was to identify, monitor and take forward concerns of BAME Anglicans and make recommendations for change to the wider church. The Committee had responsibility for addressing issues, in as far as they have implications for BAME groups within the Church and the wider community.
After a period of consultation, it has been decided that CMEAC will now be replaced by a new Racial Justice Board, which will be a committee of the Archbishops’ Council, chaired by a member of the Archbishops' Council, and containing a Lead Bishop for Racial Justice as its Vice Chair. It is envisaged that the new Board will be scrutinised by an external Racial Justice Panel led by a independent and senior person.
CMEAC has worked for over 30 years and the Church of England formally expresses its thanks to its members for their dedicated work:
- Encouraging the Church to take positive action to increase the inclusion and representation of BAME people across the Church
- Advising and supporting the Church around the country and producing resource materials, for example, the UK Minority Ethnic Mental Health Toolkit which is a major resource for parishes and faith groups
- Encouraging the involvement of BAME people in wider church activities
- Encouraging young BAME people to pursue vocations and help those who work with them to understand issues relating to BAME young people
- Promoting understanding of racism, racial issues and cultural diversity
- Working with faith and other organizations committed to the elimination of racism and supporting cultural understanding.
The Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns (CMEAC) was a committee of the Archbishops’ Council and was accountable to the Church of England’s highest decision-making body, the General Synod.
CMEAC has made a major contribution to ensuring that there should be a reflection of BAME Anglicans at all levels within the church, acknowledging that we are all part of the body of Christ “made in the image of God, fully human”. In this way, the contribution of every part of the body has been valued, recognised and supported.
Members of CMEAC 2022-2025
- Chair: The Very Revd Rogers Govender, Dean of Manchester
- House of Clergy representatives: Revd Folli Olokose (Diocese of Guildford), Revd Canon Dr Judith Maltby (Universities & TEIs)
- House of Bishops representatives: Rt Revd Jonathan Frost (Bishop of Portsmouth), Rt Revd Martyn Snow (Bishop of Leicester)
- House of Lay representatives: Canon Dr Addy Lazz-Onyenobi (Manchester, Deputy Chair), Dr Gracy Crane (Oxford)
- Appointments’ Committee elected members: The Ven Tricia Hillas, Daniel Matovu (Diocese of Oxford), Dr Steven Horne
- CMEAC co-opted members: Dawn Brathwaite, The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell (Archbishop of York), The Very Revd Andrew Zihni
- Participant observer: Nicky Chater
Resources in other languages
We often receive enquiries about material in other languages. There are lots of resources out there, but they are not always easy to find.
The content below signposts to things that may be useful for churches in areas where people speak different languages, particularly Persian/Farsi. This list is not exhaustive, and inclusion is not an endorsement of a particular organisation or perspective. We offer a range of options, so choose what is appropriate in your setting.