Rev Sharon Hunt Resignation: First Black Priest at St Mary's Putney Quits Over Racist Abuse

Rev Sharon Hunt Resignation: First Black Priest at St Mary's Putney Quits Over Racist Abuse

Rev Sharon Hunt, the first African-Caribbean heritage priest in the nearly 700-year history of St Mary's Church in Putney, south-west London, has resigned from her curacy after alleging she was subjected to racist abuse at a parish supper last month. Her resignation letter was read out to congregations on Sunday, October 25, by the Archdeacon of Wandsworth, Bridget Shepherd, sending shockwaves through the parish and prompting the Diocese of Southwark to launch a review.

The Incident and the Resignation

According to her letter, seen by The Times, Hunt attended a monthly "Seminar Supper" on September 24 at a parishioner's home—an event described on the church website as a relaxed gathering of about 14 people for a home-cooked meal, learning, and conversation. What was meant to be a pleasant evening, Hunt wrote, "turned into a personal attack on me and my personhood. I was on the receiving end of racist abuse."

Hunt, who joined St Mary's in 2023 and had recently taken on additional responsibilities as a lead priest vacancy arose, said other members of the community witnessed the abuse but sat in silence. "The silence was palpable," she wrote. "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."

She added: "It should not go unnoticed that I am the first African-Caribbean heritage priest in the almost 700-year history of this worshipping site." The letter did not specify who committed the abuse or exactly what was said, but Hunt noted that the words were "not just about me but all those who like me, my family, friends, and those who share my culture and heritage."

Hunt described the episode as "deeply distressing" and said it had "damaged the trust" she had built with the community. She acknowledged that she had "loved this community" and shared "some wonderful and joyful experiences" during her time at the parish, standing alongside local people "in times of laughter, joy and celebration, and in times of deep and profound sorrow." Despite this, she felt compelled to lay down her curacy and step away from St Mary's and the Parish of Putney.

Diocese Responds with 'Deep Sadness'

The Diocese of Southwark said it was "deeply saddened" by the situation and condemned racism "unequivocally." In a statement, it said: "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."

The Diocese told Premier Christian News that a team of clergy and lay leaders are supporting people within the parish and are "working to identify someone" to fill the vacancy left by Hunt's departure. Pastoral support is being provided to Hunt, and the matter has been referred through the relevant process. The Diocese did not confirm whether a formal investigation is underway, but a 2024 report on racism in the Church of England noted that priests can face "enormous prejudice," especially those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Parishioners Shocked and Saddened

Members of the congregation are understood to have been shocked and upset by the news. One parishioner told The Times that Hunt was "the loveliest and most empathetic person" they had met, and her popularity compounded the shock when the Archdeacon read out the resignation letter during services last Sunday. The parish, located in a relatively affluent area of south-west London, has a congregation that is predominantly white, according to local demographic data, though the church has in recent years sought to broaden its outreach.

Hunt's resignation has also sparked conversation on social media, with users sharing news of her departure and expressing solidarity. The story was first reported by The Times on October 29 and has since been picked up by other outlets, including The Standard and LBC.

A Troubling Pattern in the Church of England

The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of racial justice within the Church of England. In 2024, a report commissioned by the Church found that clergy from minority ethnic backgrounds often face "enormous prejudice" and that progress on diversity and inclusion has been slow. The report recommended a series of measures, including mandatory anti-racism training for all clergy and lay leaders, and the establishment of a independent oversight body to monitor progress.

The Church of England has also been dealing with the fallout from the highly publicized case of Rev Canon Dr. Ellen Loudon, who resigned in 2025 after alleging a culture of bullying and discrimination in the Diocese of Liverpool. That case led to a review of grievance procedures and a pledge from the Archbishop of Canterbury to "root out" racism and bullying.

The resignation of Rev Hunt is likely to intensify calls for the Church to move beyond statements and take concrete action. As one commentator noted on X, "The Church of England says it condemns racism unequivocally, but when a Black priest is abused by parishioners and no one speaks up, the silence is deafening."

What Happens Next

The Diocese of Southwark has said it will review the lessons from this situation over the coming months. It is unclear whether the parishioners involved will face any disciplinary action, as the incident occurred at a private home and not on church property. The Church of England's safeguarding procedures typically apply to events organized by the church, and the Seminar Supper is listed on the church website as a parish event, which may bring it within the scope of the Church's formal complaints process.

For now, the parish of Putney is left to pick up the pieces. A team of clergy and lay leaders is providing support to congregants, and the search for a new curate will begin. Rev Hunt, meanwhile, has stepped away from public ministry for the time being, though she has not ruled out returning to the church in another capacity.

The case also raises broader questions about the experience of Black clergy in the Church of England. According to the most recent statistics, about 4% of clergy are from minority ethnic backgrounds, compared to 14% of the UK population. The Church has set a target of 15% by 2030, but progress has been slow. Incidents like this one may discourage candidates from minority backgrounds from pursuing ordination.

As the Church reflects on its response, the words of Rev Hunt's letter resonate: "Inaction and politely looking the other way can never be a response to racism; it is, instead, an act of complicity." For St Mary's Putney, and for the wider Church, the challenge is to prove that the commitment to racial justice is more than words.

This article was updated on October 31, 2026, to include additional context from the Diocese of Southwark.