United Kingdom : Church Apologizes For Slavery Links

A Church of England funding body on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 apologized for its historic links to slavery, promising to address the wrongs of the past with investment in affected communities. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the highest-ranking cleric in the Church of England and head of the worldwide Anglican communion, said he was “deeply sorry” for the links. “It is now time to take action to address our shameful past,” he added. A fund dating from 1704 invested ‘significant amounts’ in the South Sea Company, which traded African slaves.
The commissioners have committed $122 million of investment over the next nine years to “a better and fairer future for all”. The money will target “communities affected by historic slavery”, and towards further research about church links to the practice.  The deputy chair of the Church Commissioners, the Bishop of Manchester David Walker, said the body now hoped to create a “lasting positive legacy”. The Church Commissioners for England was established in 1948 partly with an endowment from Queen Anne’s Bounty, a fund dating from 1704 to help poor clergy. Its commissioned report has revealed that, Queen Anne’s Bounty invested “significant amounts” of its funds in the South Sea Company, which traded African slaves. It also received ...