A remarkable show of unity and solidarity following recent protests in Sunderland and Hartlepool is continuing as the Diocese of Durham reaches out to support faith communities.
Sunderland and Hartlepool were among several locations targeted by far-right protesters in the recent unrest.
In response to the civil unerst and racially-motivated incidents, a peace vigil took place at Sunderland Minister on Saturday 3 August, followed by a peace walk on Sunday 4 August.
The Reclaim our City peace walk set off from the Minster and passed through the city en-route to the Sunderland Jami-Masjid Mosque in Chester Road, where marchers were invited inside.
Now, following that remarkable show of unity, the Diocese of Durham’s Inter-Faith Advisors, the Revd Chris Howson, associate priest at Sunderland Minster and Coordinating Chaplain at Sunderland University; and the Revd Canon Gavin Wort, Lead Chaplain at Durham University, are offering their support.
Chris and Gavin both lead interfaith organisations in the Diocese. Chris is Co-Chair of the Sunderland Inter-Faith Forum and Gavin is Chair of the County Durham Faiths Network.
They want to assist clergy, parishes and others in the Diocese in reaching out to members of faith communities who are being targeted at this time, including Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus.
During the unrest, Chris was among those who bravely stepped in to stop rioters from breaking up headstones at the Minster’s graveyard and using them as missiles. He, several parishioners and army chaplain Daniel Edwards, locked the graveyard to prevent further damage.
Chris and members of Sunderland Unites, which stands for peace in the city, also stayed outside mosques until police had pushed back rioters, before helping to organise the clean-up which followed and community meetings which took place on the Saturday.
Efforts to promote peace have been backed by the Revd Canon Clare MacLaren, Provost of Sunderland Minster, and Bishop Sarah who strongly condemned the acts of violence and racism in a statement issued last week.
For further information contact Gavin via 0191 334 4519 or gavin.wort@durham.ac.uk
You can also contact Chris via 0784 6099 643or chris.howson@sunderland.ac.uk
Photo: The peace vigil at Sunderland Minster. Credit: Sunderland City Council.