4th February 2026

Marking Racial Justice Sunday in Lancashire, including special service at Blackburn Cathedral

This weekend Racial Justice Sunday will be marked across the Diocese in many Church of England parishes, alongside a special service at the County’s Anglican Cathedral in Blackburn.

On the same day, a new song commissioned by national charity Christian Aid will also have its online premiere, having first been performed in front of the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Philip North and other bishops from around the world during a special summit in Kenya last week.

All are warmly invited to attend the service at Blackburn Cathedral on February 8 at 10.30am. The guest preacher will be Rev Munawar Din, Vicar of St Cuthbert's Burnley and St Luke's Brierfield.

Munawar has pioneered intercultural ministry across the Diocese and serves as Dean of Global Majority Heritage Ministry. He is also the Bishop of Blackburn’s Advisor on UKME issues.

Munawar said today: “I hope that everyone will take the opportunity on Sunday to affirm their commitment to standing up to racism and discrimination in all its forms, through learning and growing together as a diverse community.

He added: “Reflecting on the importance of racial justice in the context of the theme of ‘love your neighbour’, we will give thanks for the gifts and beauty of human diversity and to commit to end the racism and acts of discrimination that continue to mar our world.”

Munawar also promotes the service in a new short video on the Diocesan social channels. You can catch it on Facebook here. 

Rev Canon Andrew Horsfall, Interim Dean of Blackburn said: “Racial Justice Sunday reminds us everyone is loved equally by God, and it calls us to stand together against racism, to treat one another with respect and dignity.

“I am delighted Rev Munawar Din will be our preacher this year. We especially rejoice as, later that same day, he will become an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral, recognising his significant contribution to the life of the diocese.”

Meanwhile, the new song being premiered on Sunday, in conjunction with international development agency Christian Aid, is written by Kenyan musician Pete Odera. It is part of an initiative to raise the profile of black Christians in the climate justice movement. (Bishop Philip is pictured meeting Pete Odera in Kenya. David Macharia/Christian Aid)

The single, Your Great Name, will be available to stream or download having been performed and filmed last week in Kenya for the first time during a summit of Bishops from link Dioceses around the world connected to the Diocese of Blackburn, including Bishop Philip.

• For more about the song visit this page on the Christian aid website.
• More details about the Bishops’ Kenya trip here.
• Further details and livestream for Sunday’s Cathedral service here.  

Captions for above photos, top to bottom:

1. Racial Justice Sunday event image for Blackburn Cathedral
2. Rev Munawar Din
3. Rev Canon Andrew Horsfall
4. Bishop Philip North meeting Kenyan musician Pete Odera while in Nairobi last week where the new Christian Aid song was premiered; picture taken by David Macharia/Christian Aid