The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, has reiterated her dedication to a £100 million reparations fund linked to the Church of England’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
During her first pastoral visit to Africa since her installation in March, Dame Sarah toured Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, a historic site where enslaved Africans were detained before being shipped to the Americas.
Reflection on the Church’s Role
At the castle, the Archbishop was shown the dungeons and the infamous "door of no return," witnessing firsthand the brutal conditions endured by enslaved people. She described the experience as deeply moving and a stark reminder of the evil of transatlantic slavery.
Above the dungeons is a chapel, symbolizing the Church’s complicity in the slave trade. The Church of England has acknowledged its past, including owning slave plantations in the Caribbean and receiving donations from slave traders.
Reparative Justice Initiative
Three years ago, following an audit revealing historical investments linked to slavery, the Church committed to establishing a reparative justice fund. The £100 million fund aims to support investment, research, and engagement with communities affected by the legacy of slavery.
This initiative has faced opposition from some quarters questioning the Church’s historical culpability and raising legal and ideological concerns.
Support from Ghanaian Leadership
Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, praised the Archbishop’s visit and the fund, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging past sins for true reconciliation. He urged critics within the Church of England to reconsider their stance.
Ghana continues to lead global efforts calling for reparations from institutions and nations that profited from the slave trade.
