Controversial Church of England Fund Faces Backlash
The Church of England’s decision to establish a £100 million investment fund, aimed at addressing historical connections to transatlantic slavery, has sparked significant debate and criticism. Katie Lam MP has been at the forefront of these challenges, questioning the legality and rationale of the initiative.
Launched in 2023, Project Spire and its Fund for Healing, Repair and Justice emerged after research revealed ties between the Church’s predecessor endowment fund, Queen Anne’s Bounty, and slavery-related investments. However, Lam, the Conservative MP for Weald of Kent, has labeled these plans as “illegal” and “disastrous,” suggesting that funds should instead support local parishes.
Lam expressed strong opposition, stating in a video on X, “The Church of England is planning to give away £100m in slavery reparations and their justification is a complete joke.” She argued that the connection to slavery is based on a mistake, confusing South Sea Securities with South Sea Annuities, which were government loans rather than slave trade investments.
Additionally, Lam emphasized Britain’s historical efforts to abolish slavery, noting, “We were only the second country in the world to decide to do so and we spent a huge amount of money, political capital, and ultimately the lives of navy sailors doing it.”
The project has faced legal challenges, delaying its registration with the Charity Commission. However, the Church of England, represented by Bishop of Norwich Graham Usher, maintains that their actions are within legal bounds. Usher stated, “The Commissioners ensure that expenditure is applied only within their charitable purposes and powers.”
Despite these assurances, the project remains divisive. A recent poll indicated strong opposition among churchgoers, with 81% preferring funds be used for local parishes, and 61% considering withdrawal of financial support if the plans proceed.
Jamie Franklin, a priest at Holy Trinity Winchester, echoed Lam’s sentiments, urging the Church Commissioners to prioritize parish ministry. He criticized the project as “a complete scandal” and an act of “virtue-signalling.”
Together with 24 Conservative MPs and four House of Lords members, Lam wrote to Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, urging a reassessment of the project. The letter condemned the project as based on “highly contested interpretations of history” and emphasized the need to support parish ministry and church maintenance.
Despite the controversy, the Church remains committed to Project Spire. Bishop Usher addressed the Synod, stating, “We continue to be outraged by our historic links to African chattel enslavement and our part in the responsibility for the enduring legacies of this abhorrent past that continue to affect the lives of people today.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
