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Black and Episcopalian: The Struggle for Inclusion, Past and Present

Raymond Parker

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The Episcopal Church, with its roots in the Church of England, has a long and complex history with race and racial justice. While the church has made strides in recent years towards becoming more inclusive, the struggle for equality and representation for Black Episcopalians continues to this day.

Black and Episcopalian: The Struggle for Inclusion

by Gayle Fisher-Stewart

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	218 pages

This article will explore the history of Black Episcopalians in the United States, from their early beginnings to the present day. We will examine the challenges they have faced, the progress they have made, and the work that still needs to be done.

Early History

The first Black Episcopalians in the United States were likely enslaved Africans who were brought to the colonies by European settlers. These enslaved people were often forced to attend white churches, where they were segregated and denied full participation in the life of the church.

In the early 19th century, a small number of free Black Episcopalians began to organize their own congregations. These congregations were often met with resistance from white Episcopalians, who did not want to share their churches with Black people.

Despite the challenges, Black Episcopalians persevered. They established their own schools, seminaries, and organizations. They also fought for the right to be ordained as priests and bishops.

The Civil Rights Era

The Civil Rights Era was a time of great change for Black Episcopalians. The church began to ordain more Black priests and bishops, and Black Episcopalians became more active in the fight for racial justice.

In 1968, the Episcopal Church passed a resolution condemning racism and calling for the church to work towards racial equality. This resolution was a major step forward for the church, and it helped to pave the way for greater inclusion of Black Episcopalians.

Contemporary Challenges

While the Episcopal Church has made progress towards racial justice, there are still challenges that Black Episcopalians face today.

One of the biggest challenges is the lack of representation at the highest levels of the church. There has never been a Black Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and there are only a handful of Black bishops.

Another challenge is the ongoing problem of racism within the church. Black Episcopalians often report experiencing racism from white members of the church, both clergy and laity.

The Way Forward

The struggle for inclusion for Black Episcopalians is not over. There is still much work to be done to achieve full equality and representation.

The Episcopal Church must continue to work to address the root causes of racism within the institution. The church must also work to increase the representation of Black Episcopalians at all levels of leadership.

Black Episcopalians have a rich and vibrant history, and they have made significant contributions to the life of the church. They continue to fight for a more just and inclusive Episcopal Church, and their work is essential to the future of the church.

The struggle for inclusion for Black Episcopalians is a complex and ongoing one. However, it is a struggle that is essential to the future of the church. By working together, Black Episcopalians and white Episcopalians can create a more just and inclusive church that truly reflects the values of the Gospel.

Black and Episcopalian: The Struggle for Inclusion

by Gayle Fisher-Stewart

5 out of 5