Diocese of Huron committed to social justice, equity, and anti-racism

Statement from Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd Townshend, Bishop of Huron, on June 2, 2020:

As part of our Baptismal Covenant, Anglicans promise to “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” Keeping with this covenant, the Diocese of Huron is committed to social justice, equity, and anti-racism.

We stand in solidarity with those across the United States, Canada, and the world who are protesting racism, racial inequity, systemic oppression, police brutality, and state-sanctioned violence against any human being. We specifically denounce the killing of George Floyd and we offer our support and prayers for those who are protesting for justice and for an end to police brutality.

We believe, as stated in A Charter for Racial Justice in the Anglican Church of Canada, that “one of our strengths as a church lies in our diversity and in our commitment to eliminate systemic and individual racism, whether intended or not.” Recognizing the Anglican Church’s own history of complicity in racial oppression and injustice, especially against Indigenous peoples and communities, we affirm our commitment to anti-racism, to racial justice, and to working towards equity in our churches, our communities, our country, and our world.

As we each reflect on our own role in systemic oppression, we repent of the sin of racism and pray for truth, for justice, for reconciliation, for peace—for both those who are oppressed and those who oppress.

+ Todd