Racism and Interculturalism: The Reality of Black Clergy in The United Church of Canada

Abstract

ABSTRACTWhat has been the effect of The United Church of Canada’s vision of becoming an Intercultural church on the experience of racism within the church? This paper offers an answer to that question. The United Church of Canada in 2012 committed itself to a vision of becoming an intercultural church. This vision came after many years of work by the church to address the issues of racial diversity within Canada and within the church. Racial justice was at the heart of the movement to become an intercultural church, although interculturalism was expanded beyond the issues of racial justice alone. In this paper, the tool to evaluate the intercultural vision of the church is the experiences of Black clergy persons. I conclude that anti-racism awareness is needed, and should be done intentionally, and in tandem with movements to become an intercultural church.