Temple of England procedures for problem solving of racial injustice and contested heritage are “inadequate” and “do not fit for purpose” according to head of Jesus College at the University of Cambridge.
The killer score was made as decided by the college out appeal against ecclesiastical court decision prohibiting removal of memorial in its chapel to the 17th century benefactor Tobias Rustat, who was involved with slave trade.
However, it argued that the recent decision of the consistory court of diocese of Eli was “fundamentally wrong” and said current process for addressing these issues requires urgent reform.
“Many students and members of college community rely on them in church process, and understandably feel let down judicial decision and its distortion of their views,” said Sonita Alleyn, who master of Jesus College and first black head of any Oxbridge college.
“consistory court decision shows absence of understanding of lived experience of people of Colour in modern Britain, she said. added.
Jesus College claimed memorial, in prominence on West wall of Chapel, Grade I Listed, should be moved to another site in college because his presence had a negative impact on in mission and ministry of temple.
Rust, and former courtier of Charles II and one of the college’s most significant benefactors, was involved with Royal Adventurers, later the Royal African Company, engaged in the trade of enslaved Africans.
But the court ruled that the objection to the memorial was based on “a false storytelling” on scale of in financial rewards Rustat benefited from slavery and ordered that the memorial should remain in chapel, the oldest in Cambridge.
“After listening to the advice and after much deliberation, the college board decided not to appeal the disappointing decision,” Alleyne said.
“While we believe this decision is fundamentally wrong, time and cost in appeal decision essential, and the reasons on which we are allowed to appeal are restrictive.
“We are not in a hurry and we will think about what to do next. Presence of memorial in our chapel continues to be serious issue for our increasingly diverse community. We firmly believe that our position place us on right side of history”.
Alleyne reminded the church of its obligation to take action last year in his report “From crying to action”. This decision demonstrates the inadequacy of church process for problem solving of racial injustice and contested memorialization. this does not fit for goal.
“There is a belated debate in the church about how best to face up to heritage of racial injustice. We will continue to keep up pressure because it’s important for our students.”
Reverend James Crockford, Dean of The chapel at Jesus College stated that the Rustat memorial was test case for temple. “This is clear what if the church of England Wants to Take Diversity and Inclusion Seriously, It Can’t Ignore the Consequences of This decision for the wider mission of church to be place where everyone is welcome.”
representative for temple of England replied: “Strength of feeling on this case was evident from various points of view throughout the proceedings, and we know the result is not what some hoped for for.
“Temple of English processes allowed for this matter to be considered in great length, in court of law.
“Parallel Process for secular monuments of architecture are subject to governments policy of “preserve and explain”, formulated secretary of state.
“We still believe that the church ability take a special approach of this type is important when balancing heritage considerations with in unique place churches, cathedrals and chapels have as centers of a life mission and service.”
