Archbishop commits £100m to slavery legacy fund

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, has renewed her commitment to a £100 million fund addressing the Church of England's historical role in the transatlantic slave trade. The announcement came during a visit to Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, a former holding site for enslaved Africans before their forced transport to the Americas.

Speaking at the castle, Dame Sarah reflected on the crimes committed by the institution she leads. "We played a part in the transatlantic slave trade. That is clear. Part of the Christian belief in repentance is about action, so we are putting in place action to support those communities that feel the legacy of the slave trade," she stated, as reported by BBC News UK. This was Dame Sarah's first pastoral visit to Africa since her installation as head of the Church of England.

Read Next in Barnet Press2 min read

UK casinos accept PayPal, The Standard reports

Reviews considered payout speed, limits, and bonus restrictions for PayPal users.

Historical Context and Fund Aims

Reparative justice has been a central theme of the Archbishop's visit to Ghana. Cape Coast Castle, which came under British control in the 1660s, houses dungeons where enslaved people were held and the historical "door of no return." The Archbishop described the conditions as deeply moving and a stark reminder of the evil of transatlantic slavery. She noted that a chapel situated above the dungeons served as a "stark illustration of the way the church was involved in the slave trade."

The Church of England has previously issued apologies for its connections to the slave trade. Historical records indicate its missionary arm operated slave-farmed plantations in the Caribbean to finance the spread of Anglicanism. Individual clergy members were slave owners, and the Church received significant donations from slave traders. The decision to establish the fund for reparative justice work followed an audit of the Church's historical endowment fund, which revealed substantial investments in a company involved in trafficking slaves.

Related Borough Coverage2 min read

Declan Donnelly pays tribute to Kevin Keegan

The TV presenter described the former Newcastle United manager as his childhood hero on his podcast.

The £100 million fund is designated for a programme of investment, research, and engagement aimed at supporting communities affected by the enslavement of African people during the transatlantic slave trade.

Opposition and International Response

Despite the commitment, the fund has faced opposition. Some individuals have questioned the historical accuracy of reports detailing the Church's level of complicity, while others have raised legal and ideological objections, as reported by BBC News UK. Ghana has been a leading voice in a global campaign urging institutions and nations that benefited from the slave trade to provide reparations.

Ghana's foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, commended the Archbishop's actions during her visit. He stated that the Archbishop's visit to Ghana "will begin to send the right signals." He added, "And those who are either revisionists or who are obstructionists within the Church of England are going to start thinking twice." Mr. Ablakwa also referenced religious teachings, saying, "The Christian religion which they brought to Ghana and Africa teaches us that without admission of sins, there can be no salvation."