UP TO 10,000 churches around Britain will mark Racial Justice Sunday this weekend, writes Cecilia Bromley-Martin.
To mark the second ecumenical Sunday of this kind, 8,000 special "We belong to one another" packs have been sent to churches and denominational schools, containing posters, information and suggestions for bidding prayers and sermons.
"We were very, very pleased with the response in Catholic churches last year," said Sue Chapman, co-ordinator of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ). "More than 20 per cent of Britain's Catholic churches took part last year and raised over £70,000. It was a good opportunity for CARJ to speak to all the parishes about the importance of being aware of racial justice."
Although raising money is very important, as far as Ms Chapman is concerned the crucial element of the day is the chance it gives CARJ to speak to parishes directly about the injustice still affecting people trying to lead normal lives.
"Racial harassment, violence in the street and verbal abuse are still a common experience, even for those in work with nice houses," she said.