Racial Justice Sunday 2026
Do you know someone who would enjoy this article?
On Sunday 8 February, parishes across the Diocese of Salford will mark Racial Justice Sunday, a day that invites us to reflect prayerfully and honestly on how we live the Gospel call to love our neighbour, to uphold human dignity and to challenge racism wherever it exists — including within our own communities.
“And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:28-34
“Often, we think that the role of a brother, a sister, refers to kinship, to being related, to being part of the same family. In truth, we know well how disagreement, division and sometimes hatred can devastate even relationships between relatives, not only between strangers.
“This shows the need, more urgent today than ever, to reflect on the greeting with which Saint Francis of Assisi addressed everyone, regardless of their geographical, cultural, religious and doctrinal origins: omnes fratres (brothers and sisters all).”
Pope Leo, General Audience, 12 November 2025
What is Racial Justice Sunday?
Racial Justice Sunday is an annual event observed across Christian churches in the UK to promote awareness of racial inequality and celebrate the dignity of all people. The Catholic observance of Racial Justice Sunday this year is on 8 February.
Racial Justice Sunday was initiated originally by the Methodist Church following the tragic racially motivated murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993. The Lawrence family, members of a local Methodist Church, received support from the Church in their campaign for justice. Later, the Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice (CCRJ), a programme of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, expanded Racial Justice Sunday for wider Christian engagement and it is now widely valued as a collaborative ecumenical effort to promote racial justice.
Racial justice is not an optional concern but flows directly from Catholic Social Teaching – particularly the principles of human dignity, solidarity, and the common good. Racism undermines each of these, distorting relationships and denying the truth that every person is made in the image of God.
This year’s theme: ‘Love your neighbour’
Over the past year, issues of community cohesion have again been at the forefront in the media, as narratives of division and fear have thrived. This year’s theme of ‘love your neighbour’ is a reminder that these narratives cannot win if we are all to flourish. Read more in the annual Churches Together resource.
As a charity whose actions are rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and the equal dignity of all people, we’re calling for deeper reflection on the issue of racial justice from our communities and firm action which builds bridges, not walls. By embracing the vibrancy and richness of our own diverse communities we can help heal divisions between people, work towards reconciliation, and act for the common good of all.
Why this matters
“When Jesus was questioned about the most important commandment of the Law, he said that the most important is the love of God, with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength. He then said that the second most important commandment resembles it: to love our neighbour as ourself. These two merge together in that we actually show our love for God, who we cannot see, by loving our neighbour, who we can see. We must seek to provide security, dignity and well-being to all our brothers and sisters, of any race, culture or background – all are made in the image of God.”
Bishop John Arnold
We recognise that racism exists within our own communities across our diocese and even within some of our parishes. Challenging and dismantling racism is an essential component of us living out the Gospel message of love, justice, and dignity for all. As Catholics, we’re called to recognise the inherent worth of every person, created in the image of God, and to confront racism that divides, marginalises, and harms our fellow brothers and sisters. By eliminating racism, we will build stronger, united communities. This work is not just a social duty, but a vital part of our mission as followers of Christ.
Ways to find out more: Resources and links
To help you mark Racial Justice Sunday, we’ve brought together a variety of resources and links below:
Homily notes for Racial Justice Sunday
Clergy may wish to consider using the homily provided for Racial Justice Sunday by Fr Phil Sumner of the Diocese of Salford included in this resource pack from CTBI.
Suggested Prayer of the Faithful for Racial Justice Sunday:
Priest:
On this Racial Justice Sunday let us bring our prayers before the Lord, who calls us to love one another and to work for justice, peace and unity among all peoples.
Reader:
For the Church, that we may reflect the rich diversity of God’s creation and be a beacon of unity, embracing people of all races, cultures and backgrounds with love and respect.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For leaders in the Church and society, that they may be inspired by the Holy Spirit to confront racism, promote inclusion, and ensure equal opportunities for all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who have suffered from the sin of racism, that they may find healing, justice and strength in God’s love, and that their voices may be heard and valued.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For our communities, that we may be instruments of reconciliation and peace, building bridges where there is division and creating space where all feel welcome and valued.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For each of us, that we may examine our own hearts, repent of prejudice or indifference, and commit ourselves to the work of racial justice as disciples of Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who have died in the fight for racial justice and for all victims of racial hatred, that they may rest in the peace of Christ, and that their legacy may inspire us to continue their work.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Priest:
Heavenly Father, you have made us all in your image and likeness and called us to live as one family. Hear our prayers as we strive to build a world that reflects your justice, mercy, and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Additional prayers:
A prayer from the Catholic Association for Racial Justice by Yashoda Sutcliffe:
Father, you created each one of us in your own image.
Yet yours is a world made glorious by its rich diversity.
This we sometimes misunderstand, sometimes fear.
Give us the patience to build on what unites us, to celebrate our differences and to learn from them.
Grant us the wisdom to recognise your Church beyond the walls of a building, reaching out across all communities, countries and cultures.
Give us the courage to offer refuge to those in need, to challenge prejudice and seek justice for all.
Help us see that you created us in your image.
Neighbour or stranger, always our brother or sister.
Amen.
Prayer from the Catholic Bishop’s Conference for Racial Justice Sunday 2023 based on Pope Francis’s letter, Fratelli Tutti:
Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty,
reflected in all the peoples of the earth,
so that we may discover anew that all are important and all are necessary,
different faces of the one humanity that God so loves.
Amen.
Prayer from the Catholic Bishop’s Conference for Racial Justice Sunday 2024:
God of light and truth,
you call all men and women to live lives of holiness and justice.
Help us to see in one another a heart which is tender, a mind which is humble and a care for our brothers and sisters,
so that together we may build up the Body of Christ as a sign of hope and mercy for all.
We make our prayer through Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
School and children’s liturgy resources
A range of resources for schools and children can be found here.
How parishes can take action:
The CTBI Racial Justice Sunday resource pack has ideas for how parishes can take action to advance racial justice. From using the See, Judge Act methodology to ‘passports of concern’, there are ideas that you may find useful when deciding what action to take.
The Archdiocese of Southwark has also created an excellent resource for Catholic parishes. Their Racial and Cultural Inclusion toolkit includes ideas on how to welcome new parishioners, how to curate diverse repository items, as well as bidding prayers and ideas for events and celebrations. Take a look by clicking here.
Here are some more ideas on how local parishes or communities can ensure that racial justice is incorporated into their social action:
- Include racial justice as a regular item on parish council or leadership team agendas
- Ensure that ministry roles reflect the diversity of the parish community
- Appoint a caritas parish volunteer to support and encourage issues of social action including racial justice in your parish community
- Include a commitment to promoting racial justice through parish mission statements or bulletins
- Invite people from diverse backgrounds to offer talks, reflect on their experiences or lead other activities in your parish
- Offer study sessions on Catholic Social Teaching and racial justice. We can help you with this – get in touch with Matt now to find out more, by emailing M.Yates@caritassalford.org.uk
- Share educational resources about racial justice and diversity in church settings
- Ensure the diversity of your parish congregation is reflected in all ministries and in the statues and pictures in your church buildings
- Encourage parishioners to learn about and celebrate the cultures and traditions of the diverse communities within the parish and local area
- Support events and campaigns aimed at fostering community cohesion and addressing systemic racism. For example, speak to us about hosting a Weaving Trust event – you can read more about one which Caritas facilitated here
- Parishes may also wish to explore our work supporting people from racially minoritised backgrounds through homelessness services, refugee and asylum support, and community-building initiatives.
Join the conversation
We’d love to hear how your parish or community is marking Racial Justice Sunday.
Please share your prayers, activities, and reflections on social media using the hashtag #LoveYourNeighbour and tag us @CaritasSalford.
Further information can also be found at:
Racial Justice Sunday 2026 – Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
CARJ (Catholic Association for Racial Justice)
CARJ works to support and empower Black and minority ethnic Catholics, giving them a voice within the Church and society while promoting justice and community cohesion. CARJ collaborates with dioceses, parishes, and local racial justice groups to raise awareness, encourage reflection and action, and organise the annual Racial Justice Sunday.
Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN)
Explore resources and campaigns focusing on social justice, including racial justice, community cohesion, and advocacy.
CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development)
Learn about global initiatives addressing inequality, racism, and social justice, with resources for schools and parishes.
CAFOD also has a range of prayers for racial justice available by clicking here.
Faith and Justice Network
This UK-based network focuses on connecting Catholic individuals and groups working for social justice, with a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
For more information or to request resources or information, please contact us:
Email: info@caritassalford.org.uk
Phone: 0161 817 2250
To find out more about our campaigning work and ways you can get involved, click here now.
To sign up to our newsletter to hear latest news from Caritas, click here now.