Controversy Surrounds Incoming Archbishop Over Slavery Reparations Plan
(Photo: Church of England)
Sarah Mullally, soon to assume the role of Archbishop of Canterbury, faces significant opposition over a proposed £100 million in slavery reparations. Conservative members of parliament and peers have expressed their discontent, urging Mullally to reconsider the plan.
The concern primarily stems from the potential precedent such a payment might set, alongside questions about compliance with Charity Commission regulations, which mandate that funds be utilized for their intended charitable purposes.
Mullally’s pending installation as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in March, following her Confirmation of Election in January at St Paul’s Cathedral, has already stirred controversy due to her liberal views on sexuality, distancing some conservative Anglicans.
The Church Commissioners, tasked with supporting local parishes and clergy through their endowment, plan to allocate £100 million for reparations. A representative explained to The Times that the funds will establish a new investment endeavor to promote healing and justice, addressing historical transgressions related to Transatlantic African chattel enslavement.
“This is consistent with the Church of England’s Fourth Mark of Mission: to ‘seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation’,” the spokesperson stated, emphasizing that governance will be transparent and abide by charity law and fiduciary responsibilities.
However, Shadow Home Office minister Katie Lam has voiced her opposition, writing to Mullally to abandon the initiative. Lam’s letter, backed by 27 senior Conservative figures, insists that the Church Commissioner’s funds should prioritize supporting local parishes rather than what they describe as “high-profile and legally dubious vanity projects,” as reported by The Sunday Times.
The opposition highlights Charity Commission stipulations that charitable donations are to be used for their original purposes. The letter stresses, “By law, the endowment must be used to support parish ministry, maintain church buildings, and care for the Church’s historic records.”
Amidst concerns over struggling churches, the letter argues against diverting £100 million away from essential ecclesiastical obligations. Reports suggest the Church Commissioners plan to form a new charity and allocate the funds as an ex-gratia payment, having engaged in informal discussions with the Charity Commission regarding this strategy. Additionally, Lam has organized a letter to the Charity Commission to express her disapproval.
Lam and her fellow Conservatives caution against the ramifications of the reparations plan, warning that redefining charitable purposes for political ends might pressure other historic institutions, including universities and museums, to follow suit regardless of their foundational objectives or donor intents.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
