The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has shocked people around the world, including those of us in the Diocese of Rochester.
Bishop James has shared his personal reflections arising from the killing. It draws on his work over the last seven years in seeking to foster BAME presence in senior Church of England roles.
You can read it here
A number of other important contributions have been made follow the killing:
- The Archbishops of Canterbury and York issued a statement earlier this week which you can read here.
- The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover and now also Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Rochester, spoke on BBC Radio Kent. Please listen here.
- Watch a discussion between the Bishop of Coventry and Revd Dr Rosalyn, Vicar of Longford, as she recites the poem “I Cannot Breathe” by Oyin Oladipo.
On Monday, the Diocese's regular weekly Reflection will be given by The Revd Canon Jeremy Blunden, Rector of St George's Beckenham and Bishop’s Adviser for Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME).
It will be shared, as we join with the Diocese of Southwark to mark 8 June - two weeks to the day when George Floyd was killed - as a time for churches to pray together and to reflect.
To help people across the Diocese to take part in ther own way, the Diocese of Southwark has shared some signs that can be used to show solidarity on Monday.
Individuals are invited to take a picture of themselves with the sign or display it in their window or on their church notice board:
- Southwark Black Lives Matter 1
- Southwark Black Lives Matter 2
- A prayer - written by Rev Canon Jeremy Blunden
Anyone wishing to share their image should please email: communications@rochester.anglican.org or tag us on social media:
Twitter: @SeeofRochester Facebook: C of E Rochester