The Church of England must include at least one candidate from a minority ethnic background on shortlists for bishops and other senior roles in a drive to rid the church of “racial sin”, a report says.
All governing bodies within the church, including parish councils, should have at least 15% of minority ethnic representation by 2030.
A failure to take immediate action will be “potentially a last straw” for many clergy and worshippers from minority ethnic backgrounds, with “devastating effects” on the future of the church, it adds.
The church must also take decisive steps to address the legacy of the C of E’s involvement in the slave trade. Referring to statues and monuments, it said: “We do not want to unconditionally celebrate or commemorate people who contributed to or benefited from the tragedy that was the slave trade.”