Archbishop of Canterbury Reaffirms Commitment to £100m Slavery Reparative Fund During Ghana Tour

Standing inside the dark, stone dungeons of Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, where thousands of captive Africans were confined before being shipped across the Atlantic, the leader of the Church of England confronted one of the most painful chapters in her institution's history. Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally expressed deep remorse for the church's past ties to transatlantic chattel slavery, declaring that genuine repentance requires concrete restitution rather than mere words.

Quick summary

• Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally visited Cape Coast Castle in Ghana to lament the Church of England's historical involvement in transatlantic chattel slavery.
• Mullally formally reaffirmed her commitment to the church's £100 million fund for communities affected by the legacy of slavery, framing it as an essential act of Christian repentance.
• The reaffirmed commitment comes despite internal pushback from UK lawmakers urging the money be spent on clergy wages, and calls from independent advisers advocating for a far larger £1 billion sum.

Why it matters

The Church of England's active posture on reparative justice signals a critical moment for global institutions attempting to address historical complicity in transatlantic slavery. As sovereign nations and religious bodies face mounting scrutiny over historical wealth accumulation, the Church of England's dedicated fund serves as a prominent precedent. For African nations like Ghana—which has positioned itself at the forefront of the global movement for reparations—the Archbishop's public commitment reinforces the legitimacy of international calls for moral and economic accountability.

However, the initiative also highlights political and social divisions within the global Anglican Communion and British society. While supporters view the fund as a necessary step toward reconciliation, critics within the Church and Parliament argue over fiscal priorities during times of domestic financial strain. Meanwhile, community advocates in West Africa contend that financial funds alone do not satisfy broader demands for the restitution of looted cultural treasures and physical artifacts.

Background

The Church of England's journey toward financial restitution began after rigorous historical research revealed that its financial predecessor, Queen Anne's Bounty, held significant investments in the South Sea Company, which transported enslaved Africans across the Atlantic. In response to these revelations, former Archbishop Justin Welby issued a formal apology three years ago, admitting that the church's involvement was a lasting stain on its history.

To address this legacy, the church announced a £100 million commitment aimed at funding research, community engagement, and targeted investment in populations impacted by historical slavery. The announcement drew conflicting reactions. An independent oversight group appointed to examine the legacy argued that £100 million was insufficient given the scale of generational damage, urging an expansion toward £1 billion. Conversely, following Mullally's installation as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury—and the first woman to hold the post in its 492-year history—a group of Conservative MPs requested that the funds be redirected to bolster clergy salaries inside the UK.

Navigating History at Cape Coast Castle

Cape Coast Castle, a 17th-century fortification originally constructed by Swedish traders and subsequently controlled by the Danish, Dutch, and British, serves as a stark physical monument to the transatlantic slave trade. During her visit, Archbishop Mullally traversed the subterranean dungeons and paused at the famous 'Door of No Return', which has since been renamed the 'Door of Return' to symbolize historical connection and diaspora reclamation.

Above the very dungeons where enslaved people were held, Mullally offered prayers in a chapel built for Anglican worship during the colonial era. She described the emotional toll of witnessing the conditions, noting the immense evil that drove the transatlantic human trade. Reaffirming the £100 million fund from the site, she emphasized that Christian repentance must translate into tangible action to assist communities still dealing with the long-term economic and social fallout of the trade.

Engagement Across Ghana and Cameroon

The stop at Cape Coast was part of a broader 10-day regional tour across West Africa at the invitation of Archbishop Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, head of the Anglican Church's West Africa province. Beginning in Accra, Mullally delivered sermons at local parishes, met with Ghanaian President John Mahama, and laid a foundation stone for a church hostel designed to house returning African diaspora pilgrims engaging in Ghana's ongoing 'Year of Return' initiative.

Cultural encounters throughout the trip reflected a warm reception from local church leadership and traditional rulers. While visiting the Asantehene, the monarch of the Asante people in Kumasi, Mullally wore a ceremonial cassock lined with traditional kente cloth. In Mampong, she spoke before an audience of over 1,000 nurses and opened a new campus clinic established in her name.

Despite the celebratory tone, local voices highlighted lingering grievances regarding British colonial rule. Accra resident Kenneth Mordzro expressed skepticism over financial pledges alone, arguing that true reparations require the return of looted Asante gold and cultural artifacts seized by British forces during the Anglo-Asante wars of the 19th century. Following her time in Ghana, Archbishop Mullally's itinerary expands to Cameroon, with visits planned for Yaoundé, Douala, Buea, and Limbe.

Qnews24h insight

Archbishop Mullally's decision to anchor her West African tour around the £100 million reparative fund represents a calculated editorial stance: prioritizing institutional accountability over domestic political expediency. By publicly renewing this pledge at Cape Coast Castle, the Church leadership effectively closes the door on calls from domestic UK politicians to quietly roll back or divert these resources. However, the church now faces a delicate balancing act. It must demonstrate transparent and effective deployment of the £100 million to satisfy critics who view the figure as either too small to make an impact or too large given internal budget constraints, while navigating local demands in West Africa for broader restitution beyond cash funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the source of the Church of England's historical link to slavery?

The Church's historic financial arm, Queen Anne's Bounty, held investments in the South Sea Company during the 18th century, which actively engaged in the transatlantic slave trade.

How large is the Church of England's reparation fund?

The church committed £100 million toward investment, research, and community engagement programs for affected communities, though some advisory bodies have advocated raising this figure significantly.

Why did Archbishop Sarah Mullally visit Cape Coast Castle?

As part of a 10-day West African tour, the Archbishop visited the historic fortress to pray, express lament for the church's historical role in slavery, and reaffirm her commitment to the reparative fund.

Sources

• The Guardian - Archbishop of Canterbury vows to support £100m pledge helping communities affected by enslavement