London church's first black priest in 700 years quits after racist abuse

The first black priest of a south London church has quit after saying she faced racist abuse during a parish dinner. The Rev Sharon Hunt was the first black priest at St Mary’s Church in Putney, joining the parish in 2023 to complete her curacy. But her tenure has been cut short after she revealed in a letter read out during a service last Sunday that she had been subjected to racist abuse. The letter, seen by the Times, detailed that Rev Hunt had attended a “seminar supper” on September 24. The event is a monthly affair which takes place at a local home, including a home-cooked meal and a space for “learning, conversation and Q&A”. It was this event where Rev Hunt said “what was meant to be a pleasant evening amongst friends turned into a personal attack on me and my personhood.”“I was on the receiving end of racist abuse,” she said. The letter did not explain who had abused her nor exactly what was said, but she explained: “In speaking those words, it was not just about me but all those who like me, my family, friends, and those who share my culture and heritage.” She added that none of the other members present intervened. “Whilst the racist abuse was happening, other members of this community witnessed what was taking place and sat in silence. The silence was palpable,” she said. “Silence of this nature is equally as harmful as the racial words that are spoken. And what this demonstrated to me in that moment was that I was neither seen nor valued as a member of this community. No one proffered to advocate on my behalf. Inaction and politely looking the other way can never be a response to racism; it is, instead, an act of complicity.”Rev Hunt then went on to say “the entire episode has damaged the trust” and was “deeply distressing”, prompting her to lay down her curacy and step away from the parish. Members in the parish are understood to have been shocked and upset by the reverend’s resignation, with one telling The Times that she was “the loveliest and most empathetic person” they had met. Read MoreRev Hunt acknowledged in her letter that she “loved” the community and had shared “some wonderful and joyful experiences” during her time at the parish. She also noted that she was the first African-Caribbean heritage priest in the almost 700-year history of the church. Previous reports in 2024 unveiled the scale of prejudice faced by priests who are not “white-skinned.”The report said priests from minority ethnic backgrounds can also face several barriers to finding permanent roles after their curacies. The Archdeacon of Wandsworth, the Venerable Bridget Shepherd said in a statement to The Times: “I’m aware that this situation has had a significant impact on Sharon, and on others who’ve been affected by it. What took place at the Seminar Supper was unacceptable. No one should have to tolerate racism — however it manifests itself.”A statement from the Diocese of Southwark said: “We condemn racism unequivocally. It is abhorrent, unacceptable and has no place in the Church. We are deeply saddened by this situation. Our commitment to racial justice is rooted in our Christian belief that every person is made in God’s image. Treating one another with dignity and respect is a responsibility we all share.“When we learned of this matter, we took action. We first provided pastoral support to the person affected and then referred the matter through the relevant diocesan administrative process. Diocesan professionals, including members of our safeguarding team, subsequently met to consider the matter. At every step, we have kept the person affected informed of our discussions and decisions. We have also remained in contact with parish representatives to provide pastoral care and support as they fulfil their responsibilities to the Church.“Our commitment to racial justice must be reflected in our actions as well as our words. Over the coming months, we will review the lessons from this situation and consider how to strengthen anti-racism work with the parish. Our Christian faith calls us to share in one another’s suffering and to work towards healing and repair.”