Bishops back inequality inquiry – and take the knee

THE Bishop of Loughborough is calling for a public inquiry following a report highlighting disparities in impact of coronavirus, as well as urging the government to outline what steps will be taken to tackle racial prejudice more widely.

The Rt Rev Guli Francis-Dehqani said: “I welcome the delayed Public Health England Disparities in the risk and outcomes of Covid-19 report, which highlights what was widely known – that the virus has laid bare and highlighted inequalities, chiefly longstanding systemic inequalities.

“Once again, many who are most marginalised are bearing the heaviest cost, among them people of minority ethnic heritage. In the Diocese of Leicester we live in a context which is ethnically diverse.

“The past weeks have seen raised levels of anxiety for many.

“All of this has been heightened as we have witnessed with horror the events surrounding the death of George Floyd in the United States.

“While it is right work should continue on why Covid-19 impacts some more than others, the government must outline clearly what steps are to be taken to tackle racial prejudice more widely and to challenge the culture of discrimination.

“I support the call for a full public inquiry into these disparities.”

THE Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, took part in a demonstration in Leicester Cathedral gardens.

Bishop Martyn took the knee for eight minutes and 46 seconds – the length of time George Floyd’s neck was knelt on during his arrest before he died. The bishop said he wanted to protest “not only against the brutality of the killing of George Floyd in America but also because of the racism so many people experience in this country”.

He added: “It’s often been said that a subtle form of racism applies in every institution, including the Church. But until people like me, in particular white people, are prepared to stand up and be counted then very little is going to change.”