Church of England Slavery Role Exposed: Clergy Ties to Slave Trade 2026

The Church of England's historical involvement in slavery has been thrust back into the spotlight with fresh evidence uncovered by historians. New research reveals that 45 Church of England clergymen invested in the Royal African Company (RAC), which trafficked more African men, women, and children than any other single organisation in the history of the slave trade. This revelation comes as the church wrestles with its role in enslavement and debates reparations.

Archbishop of Canterbury's Visit to Ghana

Nearly 250 years after the abolitionist Ottobah Cugoano made the Christian case for reparative justice, the archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, visited the Ghanaian shore where he was enslaved as a boy. After witnessing the dungeons beneath the chapel at Cape Coast Castle, once run by the RAC, Mullally recommitted the Church of England to its "journey of repentance" for its role in slavery.

New Evidence from the Register of British Slave Traders

Back in Britain, historians working on the newly digitised Register of British Slave Traders were uncovering evidence that C of E clergy financed the RAC. The register, which documents investors in Britain's nearly 250-year transatlantic slave trade, includes 45 C of E clergymen, whose investments helped fund hundreds of slaving voyages and a 1720 relaunch of the RAC.

Notable Clergy Investors

Among them was Henry Brydges, later a canon at St Paul's Cathedral, who bought half of his £10,000 shareholding on the day he became the Archdeacon of Rochester. Prof William Pettigrew, who led the project, said the register showed a "truly national picture". Profits from enslavement filtered down to communities "from Cumbria to the Cotswolds" through bequests to parishes – evidence of a history of the C of E "giving slavery its blessing" and raising fresh questions about whether the church should pay reparations.

The Reparations Debate

The Church of England has faced increasing pressure to address its historical ties to slavery. In 2020, the church's investment fund announced it would establish a £100 million fund to address past wrongs. However, some critics argue that this is not enough, and that the church should do more to acknowledge and atone for its role in the slave trade.

Key Takeaways

• 45 Church of England clergymen invested in the Royal African Company, which trafficked enslaved Africans.
• The Church of England has committed to a "journey of repentance" for its role in slavery.
• The reparations debate continues, with calls for the church to do more to address its historical ties to slavery.

Comparison of Church of England's Actions

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