The true measure of a Christian shepherd is not found in the volume of his declarations, but in the depth of his listening. This was the striking reality witnessed on Wednesday evening, 20th May 2026, as the Most Rev. John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool, sat down with the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) Merseyside for a deeply collaborative and forward-thinking meeting at Our Lady of the Annunciation – Bishop Eton.
In a societal climate too often fractured by division, the encounter offered a powerful testament to a church leader choosing to engage in genuine dialogue and listen closely to the lived experiences of the flock he leads.
The evening opened with a profound sense of spiritual focus. Fr Anton Fernandopulle led the assembled activists and parishioners in an opening prayer that perfectly captured the urgency of their mission. With Pentecost approaching, the group invoked the Holy Spirit for a renewal of that apostolic fire for justice and truth.
They placed their dialogue under the heavenly intercession of Saint Martin de Porres and Saint Josephine Bakhita—saints whose holy lives proclaim mercy, freedom, and the equal worth of every child of God. Crucially, the prayer recalled the sobering teaching of the Church that “
racism is a virus that quickly mutates and, instead of disappearing, goes into hiding and lurks in waiting,” a truth meant to awaken the community to take courageous steps forward.
CARJ Merseyside—which has recently expanded its reach to coordinate advocacy across the wider region—sought this audience to invite leadership from the very top. As the organisers noted, whilst grassroots work is the lifeblood of parish renewal, true structural conversion requires an intentional, pastoral commitment from diocesan leadership.
Ann Malone, Chair of CARJ Merseyside, presented the first part of the strategic proposal, framing the discussion within a compelling statistical and theological reality. She highlighted that Global Majority communities are now the vibrant heart of urban Catholic life across Merseyside. With younger Catholics disproportionately coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds, the data made it refreshingly clear that the future vitality of the local Church rests entirely on how welcome, visible, and included these communities feel today. If the Church is to be truly universal, speakers noted, its structures must reflect the beautiful diversity of the People of God.
A major highlight of the evening was the introduction of a groundbreaking digital hub: The Racial Justice House (www.theracialjusticehouse.org). This comprehensive online platform serves as a pastoral blueprint and central archive for anti-racism work within the Church.
Ingeniously structured around the physical metaphor of a house, the website organises resources into distinct rooms. Faithful visitors can explore theological foundations documents, access practical anti-racism toolkits for primary schools (firmly rooted in Catholic Social Teaching) in the classroom, and find parish action plans and frameworks in the rousource spaces. It is designed as an accessible tool to equip everyday Catholics with the formation needed to dismantle prejudice.
To give those present a tangible experience of the platform’s practical value, Tron Corner read aloud a beautifully illustrated storybook as a taster of the resources. The story follows four best friends—Mei, Tom, Amaka, and Arjun—who navigate complex concepts of race, ethnicity, and faith in an accessible, child-friendly way.
When a new boy, Kizito, is excluded from playing tag by older children due to his skin colour, Tom remembers the example of St Peter Claver and steps up to practice anti-racism by inviting him to join them. Grounded in Genesis 1:27, the text reminds children that every person is born with a “full bucket” of human dignity because they are made in the image of God. Delegates noted it served as a powerful example of how the platform turns lofty theological ideals into everyday pastoral tools.
Following the digital walkthrough and story taster, Helen Cibinda Ntale presented the concrete action plan, laying out a comprehensive long-term strategy built upon three fundamental pillars: celebrating diversity, raising awareness, and driving meaningful structural reform. She shared moving examples of local grassroots initiatives already bearing fruit, such as ‘International Table’ events where parishioners share traditional food and heritage stories, alongside localised school projects that equip educators with anti-racism tools.
Throughout the detailed presentation, Archbishop John listened with profound attentiveness, capturing what attendees described as the true spirit of synodality—where pastors walk side-by-side with their communities. He then engaged in an authentic conversation, reflecting deeply on how the diocese can best cultivate and protect the shared baptismal dignity that unites all Catholics.
The evening concluded with a shared closing prayer, leaving all present with a profound sense of hope and a unified, dignified path forward for the Church in Merseyside.
