“I Have Never Seen a Black Angel, so I made one”

When we talk about “welcoming parishes”, our minds often go to the practicalities: a warm smile at the door, a clear newsletter, or an accessible ramp. But true belonging goes much deeper than a greeting. It is found in the silent language of the walls around us.

On 12 April 2025, during a creative workshop held in response to Archbishop Malcolm’s call for racial justice in the Liverpool diocese, a nine-year-old participant pinpointed the heart of the matter with a single, striking observation:

“I have never seen a black angel, so I made one.”

This moment of clarity led to the the catalyst for a new way of thinking about how we build inclusive communities.

The Architecture of Belonging
If a child enters a church and never sees a face, a saint, or a messenger of God that looks like them, the message—however unintentional—is that they are a guest in someone else’s home, rather than a member of their own family.

To move from “polite” to “truly welcoming”, Racial Justice Networks and the Parish Action Plans must shift the focus towards intentional imagery. Here are some ideas from the workshop to transform our sacred spaces:

1. The “Black Angel” Principle
The observation made by our youngest participant is a guiding principle. We are encouraging parishes to audit their visual environment with fresh eyes.

• • Whose faces are on your walls? Do the statues, stained glass, and icons reflect the global reality of the Catholic Church?
  • Creating the Missing: Like the Queen of Africa painting, parishes are being invited to commission or create new art that celebrates the diverse beauty of the human family.

2. Art as a Roadmap for Justice
Our Lady of Africa is more than a painting; it is a visual manifesto. Under the Parish Action Plan, art is being used to:

• • Spark Dialogue: Using diverse imagery as a starting point for “listening sessions” about representation and identity.
  • Catechise Through Beauty: Remining us that the Imago Dei (the Image of God) is not restricted to one race or culture.

Moving Towards a Visual Welcome
A welcoming parish is one where every person can look at a depiction of the sacred and see a reflection of their own inherent dignity.

By taking the lead from a nine-year-old’s insight, the Liverpool diocese is ensuring that the “Quick Guide for Parishes” isn’t just a booklet on a shelf, but a living, breathing transformation of our environment. We are building a Church where no child ever has to wonder why the angels don’t look like them—because they will have helped paint the wings themselves.

Look at your parish walls with fresh eyes.