In a remarkable admission, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has publicly acknowledged his family’s dark history of slave ownership. The revelation has sparked renewed calls for the Church of England to confront its colonial past and consider reparations for the descendants of enslaved individuals.
A Shameful Legacy Revealed
According to sources close to the archbishop, Welby’s ancestors, the Fergusson family, owned hundreds of enslaved Africans on sugar plantations in Jamaica and Tobago in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The brutal conditions on these plantations led to high mortality rates among the enslaved population.
Welby’s relative, Sir James Fergusson, reportedly owned between 160 and 200 enslaved individuals at the Rozelle plantation in Jamaica, with an additional 75 at Bloody Bay in Tobago. The treatment of these human beings as mere property, stripped of their names and identities, underscores the depravity of the institution of slavery.
The Church’s Complicity
The Church of England’s involvement in slavery extended beyond the actions of individual members. The church itself profited from the slave trade, with some archbishops directly owning enslaved people. Welby has acknowledged this “vile and disgusting sin” and expressed deep remorse on behalf of the church.
We are deeply, deeply, deeply sorry.
Archbishop Justin Welby, speaking in Jamaica, July 2024
The archbishop’s admission has been met with both praise for its candor and criticism from those who believe the church has not gone far enough in addressing its past. Some argue that apologies must be followed by concrete actions, including financial reparations to the communities devastated by slavery.
Reparations and Reconciliation
The issue of reparations for the descendants of enslaved individuals has gained momentum in recent years. Many Caribbean nations and advocacy groups have called on the UK government and institutions that benefited from slavery, such as the Church of England, to provide financial compensation and support for economic development.
Welby’s acknowledgment of his family’s slave-owning history has brought renewed attention to the church’s role in the slave trade. As the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop’s words carry significant weight. Some believe that his support for reparations could help spur action from both the church and the British government.
The Road Ahead
The path to reconciliation and healing is complex and fraught with challenges. The Church of England has taken initial steps, such as launching a reparative justice fund, but critics argue that more must be done. The church’s response to calls for reparations will be closely watched in the coming months and years.
For Archbishop Welby, confronting his family’s slavery legacy is a personal journey as well as a public one. As he grapples with the sins of his ancestors, he has the opportunity to lead the church in a new direction, one that acknowledges the past and works towards a more just and equitable future.
The ongoing debate surrounding the Church of England’s role in slavery and the push for reparations reflects a larger societal reckoning with the enduring impacts of colonialism and racism. As the conversation evolves, it is clear that the road to healing and reconciliation will require courage, compassion, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.
