The Church of England (CoE) has come under fire for advertising for its “head of racial justice priority” role, which offers a salary of £66,646 a year.
The successful candidate, who will earn double the salary of vicars, will be responsible for the creation of a “racially just church” in the Diocese of London. Parish priests in the diocese currently receive a stipend £31,644.
The role is described as “an exciting opportunity to lead the Diocese of London’s priority of a more racially-just Church and we are looking for a collaborative leader who has vision to see change, tenacity to deliver and the confidence to challenge and inspire”.
It is one of a number of “racial justice” positions rolled out by the CoE in recent years as part of diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives.
The Church of England (CoE) has come under fire for advertising for its ‘head of racial justice priority’ rolePAThis position in London boasts the highest salary offered so far for one of these types of roles.
The Lead Bishop on Racial Justice, the Bishop of Edmonton Rt Rev Canon Dr Anderson Jeremiah said the Church is at “a pivotal moment to commit our resources into tangible action, prayerfully enabling the Church to become more racially just”.
The lucky candidate will “foster a culture… built on love, fairness, equity, justice, collaboration and integrity”, “break down mental, cultural and institutional barriers… to engender true race equality” and help “address the historical legacy of slavery and challenge systemic racism”.
However, some have criticised the salary for being excessive and an “insult” to existing clergy members.
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The successful candidate will earn double the salary of vicars
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The Rev Marcus Walker, the rector of St Bartholomew the Great in the City of London, told The Telegraph: “Dioceses can’t wave deficit-riddled accounts at parishes, demanding over £100,000 in parish share, and then pull this kind of salary out of nowhere.
Catholic priest Ed Tomlinson wrote: “Salaries like this are an insult to hard working and often under valued clergy.”
Another user described the salary as ”an appalling waste of money (and a disgrace that the clergy – of all people – have to be treated in such a patronising way)”.
Responding to the criticism, Jeremiah said: “The issues of clergy pay and racial justice are entirely distinct. Clergy pay in the Church of England is being looked at very carefully at a national level.
It is one of several similar positions rolled out by the CoE in recent years as part of diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives
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“However, conflating these two issues undermines each of their importance to the Church, and detracts from the work underway to address them both as challenges.
“The Diocese makes no apologies for making racial justice a priority. Racial injustice is part of the history of this Diocese, and of the Church of England.
“If we want a safe and equitable church – whether in ministry, vocation or administration – credible change cannot be achieved in a vacuum. It requires concerted time, effort and resources. That is why this role is so important.”
In February, the Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover, told the General Synod in February that Anglicans needed to “further embed racial justice” in the Church.
She added that the church should not be afraid of being called “woke”and continue in their diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives.