The first black priest of St Mary’s Church in Putney has resigned, saying she was racially abused at a recent parish supper.
The Revd Sharon Hunt resigned her position after she was “on the receiving end of racist abuse” at a Seminar Supper on 24 September, a monthly meal with a talk and discussion. “What was meant to be a pleasant evening amongst friends turned into a personal attack on me,” she said.
In her resignation letter, which the Archdeacon of Wandsworth read out to the congregation in full on Sunday, Hunt said it was not just the racial abuse that led her to resign, but that others who were there “witnessed what was taking place” and “sat in silence”. She said that silence was “equally as harmful as the racial words that are spoken”.
Revd Hunt, who is of African-Caribbean heritage, said that the abuse was “not just about me but all those who look like me, my family, friends”, and the silence left her feeling “neither seen nor valued as a member of this community”.
The parish told its congregation on Friday that the Archdeacon, the Venerable Bridget Shepherd, would be at services on Sunday but most of the congregation had no idea why. Immediately after the services ended, the parish emailed Hunt’s letter to the broader congregation, with a statement from the Archdeacon.
The diocese, which replied to Putney.news’ questions on behalf of the parish as well, said: “Racism is abhorrent and unacceptable, and we have clear expectations about honouring and speaking well of each other across difference.” It said it “referred the matter to the appropriate diocesan administrative process” and would “work with the individual concerned and the church over the coming months, reflecting on what we must learn from it”. It did not say what the process is, or who is responsible for it.
Shocked
The news came as a shock to many in the congregation, for whom St Mary’s has always been seen as a progressive, liberal church, with one telling Putney.news that they were “very surprised” by the announcement but also found it “intriguing”.
Read what the Archdeacon told the congregation, and what the diocese said when we asked whether she was at the supper.
Members get the rest of the diocese’s answers, including what it said about the process and the anti-racism work. They also get how the news landed with the congregation, and more from Hunt’s letter.
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What members get from this story
- What the Archdeacon told the congregation in her statement
- What the diocese told us when we asked whether she was at the supper
- The rest of the diocese’s answers, how the news landed with the congregation, and more from Hunt’s letter
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The diocese added: “Within the Church, there is a range of experiences and perspectives”, and described the situation as “pastorally complex”.
We put several questions to the parish and the diocese on Monday: whether a process is under way, how Hunt and the congregation are being supported, what the anti-racism work will involve, and whether the Archdeacon was at the supper. The diocese replied on Tuesday evening, on behalf of the parish as well.
If you want to raise a concern
Anyone connected to the parish who wants to raise a concern can contact the parish office on 020 8788 4414. The Diocese of Southwark’s safeguarding team takes enquiries on 020 7939 9441 and at safeguarding@southwark.anglican.org, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
It is not “intriguing” it is bewildering, deeply hurtful that this situation has arisen in our community. I know that the vast majority are badly shaken by Sharon’s experience. We truly have only love and respect for her. Kieron you have put this view in to spice up your article and it is not representative of the true feelings of our church.
I’m not a church-goer but on the many occasions I’ve been to events at St. Mary’s I’ve found only a warm welcome, so it was profoundly shocking to read that Sharon had felt obliged to resign in the face of truly disgusting racial abuse. Almost as bad was the fact of the abuse was met by those who were there “witnessed what was taking place” and “sat in silence”. I hope there’s some way in which it’s possible to send a message of support and sympathy to Sharon.
Helen criticises Kieren for quoting the deplorable “intriguing” remark, is that really fair? But I’m sure Helen is right that this doesn’t represent the true feelings of the church, so i hope others will speak up in support of this view and, indeed, in support of Sharon.
I would want much more context before passing judgement.