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A group of Conservative MPs and peers has called on the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury to abandon plans to allocate £100 million toward addressing the Church of England’s historical ties to slavery. In a letter obtained by the Sunday Times, these politicians urged Dame Sarah Mullally to halt the Church’s proposed expenditure, arguing that the funds are legally restricted to use for church buildings and clergy salaries.
The Church Commissioners, responsible for the Church’s financial assets, responded by emphasizing that the fund’s development is being carried out transparently and in accordance with charity law. Mullally, currently the Bishop of London, is set to assume her groundbreaking role as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury next month.
The initiative was announced in January 2023 after a detailed report shed light on the Church of England’s historical involvement in transatlantic slavery. Commissioned by the Church Commissioners, the report revealed troubling facts about a fund dating back to 1704—Queen Anne’s Bounty— originally established to support poor Anglican clergy but which also invested in and accepted contributions linked to the enslavement of African people. Following the report, then-Archbishop Justin Welby apologized, expressing deep regret and committing to efforts to address this troubling legacy.
In response, the Church Commissioners pledged £100 million over nine years to create a fund aimed at supporting investment, research, and community engagement for those affected by the transatlantic slave trade. However, the letter sent to Mullally criticized this direction, with signatories including MPs Katie Lam, Chris Philp, and Claire Coutinho, urging a focus on bolstering parish ministries instead of what they described as “high-profile and legally dubious vanity projects.” They stressed that, by law, the endowment should be dedicated to parish ministry, church upkeep, and safeguarding the Church’s historic records, especially as many churches struggle with maintenance issues.
A spokesperson for the Church Commissioners reiterated their commitment to the £100 million fund, framing it as a response to the Church’s “historic links with transatlantic African chattel enslavement.” They cited the Church of England’s Fourth Mark of Mission, which emphasizes the pursuit of justice, peace, and reconciliation, to justify the investment. The spokesperson also assured that governance mechanisms are being established to guarantee accountability and compliance with fiduciary responsibilities.
Dame Sarah Mullally is due to formally succeed Justin Welby in a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral this January, with her enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral scheduled for March. Mullally’s ascent to Archbishop follows a distinguished career, including serving as the first female Bishop of London and a former NHS chief nurse. The Church has been without a permanent Archbishop for nearly a year following Welby’s resignation amid a safeguarding scandal
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