The Bishop of Croydon, the Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett, welcomes the Church Commissioners’ Research Into Historic Links To Transatlantic Chattel Slavery which was published earlier this week.
Bishop Rosemarie, who is the Diocesan Lead on Racial Justice, said, “The Church Commissioners’ ‘Research Into Historic Links to Transatlantic Chattel Slavery’ is deeply significant and I urge people to read it. It forms part of a renewed Church of England focus on Racial Justice and reconciliation, in line with the ‘From Lament to Action’ report recommendations, which include the Racial Justice Commission’s work on Contested Heritage. The investment being put into this work programme is a step in the right direction.”
A predecessor fund of the Church Commissioners’ endowment, Queen Anne’s Bounty, had links with transatlantic chattel slavery. In response to the findings, the Church Commissioners’ Board has committed itself to trying to address some of the past wrongs by investing in a better future. It will seek to do this through committing £100 million of funding, delivered over the next nine years commencing in 2023, to a programme of investment, research and engagement.
