Racial Justice & Education Team

What is the Covenant to Root Out Racism?

In response to the death of George Floyd and others in police custody, the Covenant to Root out Racism (CTROR; now known as the Anti-Racism Covenant) was originally written by the Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri as part of the theological discussion in the House of Bishops on reckoning with white supremacy in September 2020. Following that Conversation, the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows introduced the CTROR to the newly-appointed Diocesan Racial Justice and Education Team (RJET) with a charge to present it to the wider Diocese of Indianapolis (Diocese) to consider adoption. Following adoption by the RJET, the CTROR was introduced at Neighborhood meetings and Sacred Ground courses in 2021, encouraging those already engaged in the work of dismantling racism to consider signing and bringing to their parishes for consideration.

Why Did RJET Propose the Resolution to Adopt the Covenant to Root Out Racism in the Diocese of Indianapolis?

Read the transcript of the introduction to the resolution given to the Convention.

The resolution was a means of inviting the Diocese into an ongoing conversation, to see this work as part of our whole liturgy, our “work of the people” not just limited to one group or individual but connecting our spiritual lives with our lived experiences in community, as we seek not so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love more like Jesus in thought, word, and deed. RJET’s mission is to provide next small steps on the path toward authentic racial justice, and to set mile-markers/goals to keep this important justice work moving forward. The specific actions in the CTROR give all of us measurable, achievable, realistic activities that we can do, and a timeline that moves us toward intentional progress over the next 5-10 years. The data from the proposed resolution also gives a snapshot of where the Diocese is in fulfilling our stated mission, and will guide RJET’s efforts to provide meaningful educational offerings and better connect people across the Diocese sharing in this ministry.

What Did the Resolution Contain?

At the 185^th Convention in 2022, members of the RJET, with 17 clergy and 20 lay co-sponsors, presented a resolution petitioning the Diocese to consider adopting the CTROR as an intentional commitment to “specific and ongoing addressing the injustices resulting from systemic and institutional racism.” Extensive effort was made by members of RJET , and additional clergy and lay allies, to disseminate the proposed resolution, invite co-sponsors and input, and engage questions and concerns about the rational for proposing such a resolution.

The CTROR was proposed as an extension of the spiritual and historical work already ongoing throughout the Church and Diocese:

The prophetic voices of Scripture, Spirit’s call, and ministry of Jesus Christ
Our Baptismal Covenants to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves and striving for justice and peace among all peoples, respecting the dignity of every human being
The will and mind of the Episcopal Church as expressed in General Convention resolutions, the theological work of the House of Bishops, the national church’s curriculum “Becoming Beloved Community”
Our Diocesan missional commitment to stand with the marginalized to transform systems of injustice and commitment to decry every form and expression of racism and white supremacy as antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, charging our clergy, lay leaders, congregations and ministries to denounce, repudiate, and actively work against white supremacy and every form of racial and ethnic hatred as evil and anathema to the vows of our Baptismal Covenant.

The Resolution requested specific actions to be taken by our diocese:

Re-commit to continual work dismantling systemic racism and white supremacy within our own structures.
Adopt the CTROR, as written by the Bishop and people of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, and the actions and commitments contained therein and charge the Executive Council to:
1. In conversation with the RJET, develop a plan to implement and live into the specific actions of the CTROR across the diocese no later than the 187th Convention (November 2024);
2. In consultation with Bishop Jennifer, determine specific and measurable actions for accountability to be included with the implementation of the CTROR; and
1. Publish report of voting results to the 186^th Convention, and progress reports towards the full implementation of the Covenant with necessary resources for the work to the 186^th and 187^th Conventions.
Each congregation’s vestry or Bishop’s committee, and each diocesan ministry committee, in an official meeting of that body to vote whether to adopt the CTROR by May 1, 2023; if adopted, commit toact on a minimum of 3 covenant statements contained therein.

The resolution, with minor modifications, passed unanimously by the 185^th Convention. Please click here to view.

Voting Results

In the following documents, you will find:

An overview of the results of Parish/Diocesan Ministry Votes to Adopt:
- Please click here for a graph of the results
- Please click here for a PDF Overview
A connection sheet of parishes committed to each of the particular commitment/action items – we hope this will be a helpful networking tool for starting/continuing the work your parish committed to
- Please click here for the Parish Connection Guide

Next Steps

The Executive Council now has concrete data it needs for where parishes are engaged in working for racial justice, and the top priorities articulated from wide participation throughout our Diocese that will help them create and implement a plan for living into the commitments and spirit of the CTROR over the next 5-10 years.

For more information about the resolution, results, and how it leads us into greater liberation together, attend the upcoming Diocesan Workshop led by RJET on Friday, November 10^th.

Check out the parish connection sheet above to see who you might partner with or seek out to get started!

Reporting the Vote

According to the unanimously passed amended Resolution 2 at last November’s Diocesan Convention, the deadline for reporting the vote on whether to adopt the Covenant to Root Out Racism is due from your vestry, bishop’s committee, or diocesan ministry by May 1. The materials to consider can be found here:

Find Resolution 2 at this link.
Find the link to the Covenant to Root Out Racism, as adapted, here.

Please use this form to report your vestry’s or ministry’s vote.