The Revd Sharon Quilter has served as the Racial Justice Officer for the Diocese of Chelmsford since September 2022.
The appointment of a racial justice officer was a key recommendation of the Chelmsford Diocese Racial Justice Task and Finish Group Report that was agreed by Chelmsford Diocesan Synod in November 2021.
As Racial Justice Officer, Sharon is playing a leading role in shaping the Diocese’s approach to ethnic diversity, inclusion and equity, implementing the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group Report.
Sharon also serves as an Assistant Curate in the Halstead Area Team Ministry and was a member of the Chelmsford Diocese Racial Justice Task and Finish Group.
Commenting on Sharon’s appointment, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani said:
“Sharon’s appointment as Racial Justice Officer is an important first step in the implementation of our Racial Justice Task and Finish Group Report. Too often in the Church of England we have talked about the evil of racism and produced reports and plans that we have failed to implement. This time must be different. Sharon will bring experience, drive, and great skill to this role. At the same time, we must remember that it is all our responsibility to tackle racism and promote racial justice and Sharon will need support and prayer from across our diocesan family.”
The Bishop of Colchester who chaired the Racial Justice Task and Finish Group said:
“The Racial Justice Task and Finish Group was determined that their report must not go the way of previous racial justice reports and that mechanisms must be put in place to ensure that recommendations will be implemented. Consequently, the Task and Finish Group recommended that a part time Racial Justice Officer should be appointed to work alongside the Racial Justice Advisory Panel. I’m delighted that our Diocesan Synod supported these recommendations and that Sharon has been appointed to this role. She will bring great dynamism and wisdom from her own experience in the church, from her role as a member of the Racial Justice Task and Finish Group and from her previous career in the financial sector. Please join me in praying for her as she begins this next chapter in her ministry and please do support her as she works to enable and empower all of us to bring about the change we need in our diocese, churches and local communities.”
Commenting on her appointment, the Revd Sharon Quilter said:
“It was an honour to serve on the Chelmsford Diocese Racial Justice Task and Finish Group and to help identify a series of hugely important recommendations to bring about the cultural, structural and strategic shifts required to help combat racism in out Diocese and in the communities we serve. I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to serve as Racial Justice Officer and to help turn those recommendations into actions. I am very much looking forward to working with people from church communities across Essex and East London as collectively we work to tackle racism and promote racial justice.”
