The Church of England actively participated in the transatlantic slave trade in the 18th century; it today refers to this as a "shameful and awful sin" and extends its genuine regrets.
On Wednesday, the Canterbury Archbishop, Justin Welby, and other church commissioners investigated the church's past and involvement in the slave trade. They were "greatly dismayed" by the church's involvement in the slave trade.
According to The Mirror, Welby made the statement yesterday in Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England during the Sunday Choral Eucharist.
It was highlighted that the Church, led by King Charles, had previously expressed regret for its role in the incident and that the church's recent apology came at the same time as its pledge of £100 million for research funding.
The money will be used to launch research into the church's ties to slavery and to aid communities where slavery had a significant positive influence, it was revealed that this will continue until 2032.
Welby professed, “I am deeply sorry for these links. It is now time to take action to address our shameful past.”
“Only by obeying the command in 1 John 1:6-7 and addressing our past transparently can we take the path Jesus calls us to walk and face our present and future with integrity.
“It is hard to do this at a time when resources in many parishes are so stretched, but by acting rightly we open ourselves to the blessing of God.”
It was acknowledged in 2020 that the historical ties were a “source of shame,” and both the church and the Bank of England issued apologies for the past.
To make up for the loss of free labour, parliament decided to compensate slave owners in 1822.
After workers were laid off from the Codrington plant in Barbados, the church got about £8,823, or more than £832,000 in today’s money.
The Right Reverend Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester and Deputy Chair of the Church Commissioners, has said, “It is important for the Church Commissioners to understand and be transparent about our past so we can best support the mission and ministry of the Church of England, today and in the future.”