Norwich, UK
A new initiative aimed at breaking down centuries of prejudice and fully welcoming Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities into the life of the church has been launched in the UK.
James Newsome, the Bishop of Carlisle, and Stephen Cotterell, Archbishop of York, launching the GRT Friendly Churches Initiative. PICTURE: Courtesy of the Archbishop of York
Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, said in a statement that it was his hope the project – called GRT Friendly Churches Initiative – “will enable a bridge between settled people and Travellers and be part of the reconciliation process”.
“We can, and must do so much more to welcome, support, include and advocate for them.”
An ecumenical organisation, GRT Friendly Churches is headed by Rev Nicky Chater, from the Church of England’s Durham diocese. It seeks to promote greater understanding and provide practical ways in which churches can befriend and work alongside GRT groups. This could include everything from offering water to people camping at the roadside to offering to pray with families, signposting people to services that might be needed, accompanying people to appointments and engaging in more complex advocacy.
Dr Steven Horne, who sits on the steering group, told Sight that the initiative is run by a group formerly known as CNGTR (Churches Network for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma).
“The focus has sharpened and narrowed and is now predominantly focused on creating ‘friendly churches’ for GRT people.”
The Church of England has played a prominent role in the development of the initiative, having acknowledged that for many years it often failed to support GRT communities. Following a resolution passed at the General Synod in 2019 condemning GRT discrimination, more than 12 chaplains have been appointed within CofE dioceses with a remit to include pastoral, advocacy and educational activity. The Cumbria Diocese has just committed to creating two such chaplains.
The Bishop of Carlisle, James Newcome, in the traces of a traditional Romany horse-drawn caravan. PICTURE: Courtesy of the Archdiocese of York.
Stephen Cotterell, Archbishop of York, – who last month visited the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria, an annual, traditional gathering of Gypsies and Travellers which attracts more than 10,000 members of the GRT community, along with James Newcome, the Bishop of Carlisle, said in a statement that he had “seen and heard of the prejudice and racism the GRT communities face in their daily lives”.
“As a church we need to do more to stop this. And making a positive step to actively welcome them into our worshipping communities will help to bring about change.”
The GRT Friendly Churches initiative has set up a website to help churches become more involved. It features numerous resources and reports designed to improve understanding including a webinar on funerals, customs and last rites of passage within GRT communities.
The ‘Sanctuary Places’ website also features suggestions for helping GRT people find safe stopping places and encourages churches to open up car parks and church meadows as sanctuary stopping places. Those behind the initiative believe this will reduce problems caused by unauthorised encampments and create safer environments for everyone.
Dr Horne, who is the author of Gypsies and Jesus – A Traveller Theology, said that at the heart of Traveller theology is “a simplified, purity-led and Christ (and Cross)-centred love for Jesus, life and the family”.
“In Christ and in the church we are all one family. His bloodline is our bloodline. As such the initiative to create ‘Friendly Churches’ for GRT people is an opportunity for non-GRT people to reject the historical narratives of segregation passed down from generation to generation and adopt an approach of love and hospitality.
“We all partake in a Traveller theology as we move through the journey of our life, and whilst none of us choose to start our journeys we can choose which routes to take. These initiatives could make a difference, particularly for some of the most vulnerable GRT people in our society. It’s success will ultimately be dependant on whether churches adopt the principles of the proposed initiatives. We hope and pray they will.”
