CARJ Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS CARJ?

CARJ facilitates, encourages and empowers people of all backgrounds to work within the Catholic community, ecumenically and in the wider society for racial justice.
CARJ is a separate charity and an agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales.


WHAT DOES CARJ DO?

CARJ works with parishes and schools, organizes seminars and conferences, produces and distributes publications and audio visual resources and offers racial justice training to local groups and widely among organizations and institutions within the Church.

CARJ has organized two National Racial Justice Congresses which set a direction for the Catholic community in addressing issues of diversity, equality and racism in and outside the Church.

Every year CARJ organizes Racial Justice Sunday on the second Sunday of September.

HOW DID CARJ ORIGINATE?

In the early 1970s, the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales established the Catholic Commission for Racial Justice (CCRJ). The Commission worked for more than ten years promoting awareness and good practice across the Catholic community.

In 1984, the Bishops approved the establishment of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ). CARJ was established as a separate charity and as a lay-led and black-led organization which would bring Catholics of all backgrounds together to work for racial justice.


DO I HAVE TO BE CATHOLIC OR CHRISTIAN TO BE A MEMBER?

No. You don’t need to be Catholic or a Christian. We are an open membership organisation. Anyone who subscribes to our general aims and statements is welcome to be a member.

DOES CARJ HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE ITS WISHES ON OTHERS IN THE CHURCH?

No, CARJ will come into a parish, school, diocese or organisation by invitation only. We are not there as an enforcement agency. We are there to assist to enable, advise and help any group within the Catholic community.

DO CARJ CHARGE FOR THEIR SERVICES?

No, we don’t charge for our ordinary services. CARJ is a charitable organisation and we welcome donations. For certain types of work (eg training) we may negotiate a fee if the organization in question can afford it.

WHERE DOES CARJ'S FUNDING COME FROM?

CARJ is self supporting. We rely on grants, donations and the Racial Justice Sunday appeal.

DOES CARJ CHARGE FOR MEMBERSHIP?

A nominal fee between £5 (unwaged) to £15 (waged) is required for CARJ membership. We also run a scheme called ‘Friends of CARJ’ – this is an ideal scheme for schools.

HOW CAN CARJ HELP YOU?

Groups and individuals may feel they need advice and/or resources before going any further with the process of preparation. A number of dioceses have racial justice groups. If you are not sure who your local racial justice contact person is, please get in touch with the CARJ Office.