The Church of England is facing a legal challenge over its £100m Project Spire, a reparative justice plan addressing historical links to the slave trade. At the General Synod in York, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell defended the initiative as a work of healing, while critics, including barrister Daniel Matovu, argue the church profited far more from slavery than it is offering.
What is Project Spire?
Project Spire was launched in 2023 after research revealed that Queen Anne's Bounty, a church endowment fund dating back to 1704, invested in the South Sea Company—which transported over 34,000 enslaved Africans. The fund also received donations from Edward Colston, a key figure in the Royal African Company. In response, the Church Commissioners committed £100m to an impact investment fund supporting descendant communities.
Legal and Political Opposition
The project faces a legal challenge from the rightwing thinktank Policy Exchange and Tory politicians like Katie Lam, who call it historically uninformed. Matovu highlighted that the church generated roughly £5m annually from Barbados sugar plantations between 1710 and 1838, totaling £640m in today's money—calling the £100m fund a mere pittance.
| Aspect | Church of England's Position | Critics' Argument |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | £100m impact investment | Insufficient compared to £640m profits |
| Historical Role | Inherited investments, not direct ownership | Supported and participated in slavery |
| Legal Status | Defended as reparative justice | Facing legal challenge over misuse of funds |
Key Takeaways
- Project Spire is a £100m fund for descendant communities.
- Legal challenge claims the church profited £640m from slavery.
- Critics say the fund is historically uninformed and inadequate.
- Church leaders defend it as a healing and justice initiative.
FAQ
What is Project Spire?
Project Spire is the Church of England's £100m fund to address historical ties to slavery through impact investments in descendant communities.
Why is the Church of England facing a legal challenge?
Critics argue the fund is too small compared to the church's historical profits from slavery, and they question its legal and historical basis.
How much did the Church of England profit from slavery?
Daniel Matovu estimates the church earned £640m in today's money from sugar plantations in Barbados between 1710 and 1838.
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