The Church of England’s West Midlands has named Reverend Dr. Evie Vernon O’Brien as its new director of racial justice. Originally from Montego Bay, St. James, O’Brien is expected to start her new position in July and will oversee six dioceses: Birmingham, Coventry, Gloucester, Hereford, Lichfield, and Worcester. In this capacity, O’Brien will oversee a team that will assist each diocese in promoting racial justice by scrutinizing policies, practices, and culture to guarantee that the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion are upheld.
O’Brien stated, “Jesus calls his followers to join him in preaching the good news to the poor, and in bringing liberation to the oppressed.”
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She went on to say, “I believe that the coming together of these six dioceses to set up a unit to concentrate on racial justice is a powerful manifestation of our commitment to our mission as Jesus’ disciples.”
After receiving her deaconess ordination in the 1980s, O’Brien relocated to the UK to take up her position as head of the Selly Oak Centre for Mission Studies. She subsequently worked as the theological consultant for the Anglican mission organization USPG. Additionally, O’Brien has worked with the Catholic AIDS Prevention and Support organization.
