Fresh Evidence of C of E’s Role in Enslavement Uncovered as Church Wrestles with Reparations Debate

The recent visit by Archbishop Sarah Mullally to Cape Coast Castle in Ghana has brought into sharp focus the long-buried history of the Church of England’s complicity in the transatlantic slave trade. Historians have uncovered evidence of C of E clergy financing the Royal African Company, one of the most prolific slaving organizations in history. The newly digitized Register of British Slave Traders reveals 45 C of E clergymen who invested heavily in the slave trade.

These investments funded hundreds of slaving voyages, with profits filtering down to communities across Britain. This legacy continues to shape modern Britain, influencing everything from the Industrial Revolution to public health and welfare systems. The Church’s own missionary arm, the United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG), has a long history of perpetuating transatlantic chattel slavery.

The C of E is currently grappling with reparations efforts, led by Project Spire. However, critics argue that this initiative is insufficient and that the Church must confront its complicity in the slave trade head-on. The “Slave Bible” – a heavily edited version of scripture used to control enslaved Africans – remains a powerful symbol of the Church’s past wrongdoings.

The silence surrounding these revelations is striking. Many within the C of E seem reluctant to confront the full extent of their ancestors’ involvement in slavery. The Anglican “truth-telling” event, planned for 2025, aims to shed more light on this dark history. Yet some see it as too little, too late.

The legacy of slavery is deeply ingrained in British society. It’s not just about the Church’s role in perpetuating it – but also its continued impact on communities today. The C of E must take bold action to address this legacy, moving beyond tokenistic gestures like Project Spire. Reparations are only a starting point; true atonement requires a fundamental reckoning with the past and a commitment to dismantling systemic racism.

Some argue that abolitionist MPs such as William Wilberforce should be held up as examples of moral courage in the face of slavery. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complex history of the slave trade. While Wilberforce was indeed a vocal opponent of slavery, his own family had significant financial interests tied to the slave trade.

Archbishop Mullally acknowledged during her visit that “the purpose of the cross” demands we confront our collective past and work towards justice and healing. The time for silence is over; it’s time for action. The C of E’s dark past serves as a stark reminder of the long-term consequences of complicity and silence.

Historian Malik Al Nasir notes, “The only way to break every chain of injustice is to confront and dismantle the systems that perpetuate it.” The Church’s efforts towards reparations are a start – but they must be part of a broader movement towards systemic change. Anything less would be a betrayal of the very principles of justice and equality that Christianity claims to uphold.