Church of England apologises for racist treatment of black and ethnic minorities

The Church of England has voted to apologise for racism towards black and ethnic minorities, which it says began in the 1940s, and still continues today.

The Church of England has voted to apologise for racism towards black and ethnic minorities. Source: AAP

The Church of England says it will apologise for decades of racism directed at black, Asian and minority ethnic Anglicans who arrived in Britain from 1948.

At a meeting of the church's ruling body in London, members voted unanimously to issue an official apology and commission an outside expert to prepare a report on racism, race and ethnicity in the church.

The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby said he was personally ashamed and told the meeting that the Church of England was still "deeply institutionally racist".

The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby spoke of his personal shame, saying the Church of England was still ‘deeply institutionally racist." Source: Press Association

"We did not do justice in the past, we do not do justice now, and unless we are radical and decisive in this area in the future, we will still be having this conversation in 20 years time and still doing injustice - the few of us that remain, deservedly," the church's most senior bishop said. 

"We have damaged the church, we have damaged the image of God and most of all, we have damaged those we victimised, unconsciously very often."

The so-called Windrush Generation arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries. Source: AAP

The Church of England directly referred to discrimination experienced by the so-called Windrush generation, those who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries.

In 2018, then-British Prime Minister Theresa May apologised for the treatment of the Windrush generation and their children. 

The motion to apologise was moved by Reverend Andrew Moughtin-Mumby, who highlighted the experiences of the family of one of his parishioners, Doreen Browne.

The Reverend spoke of how Ms Browne's mother, father and sibling were barred in 1961 from entering St Peter’s Church in Walworth, south London, "due to the plain fact of the colour of their black skin."

"Doreen’s family suffered horrible, humiliating racism which still affects Doreen’s relationship with the Church even today,” he said.

“They eventually found a home in a nearby parish church, but we know that many cradle Anglicans from the Caribbean did not, and simply left the Church of England: that is a scandal of our own."

He said the apology must lead to "urgent" and "concrete change".