The Church of England is advancing plans to establish a £100 million fund aimed at addressing its historical ties to slavery, a move that has sparked significant debate. During the recent Synod meeting, it was disclosed that £1.15 million had already been allocated to Project Spire and the proposed Fund for Healing, Repair and Justice.
Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich, explained to Synod that the funding was used for “proportionate research into the Commissioners’ historical sources of funds and consideration of appropriate responses, including necessary legal advice and stakeholder engagement.”
Initiated in 2023, Project Spire followed research indicating that Queen Anne’s Bounty, a forerunner to the Church Commissioners’ endowment fund, had connections to transatlantic chattel slavery through its investments.
The Fund for Healing, Repair and Justice aims to address these historical connections by investing in and engaging with communities impacted by the transatlantic slave trade, creating a “lasting legacy.”
Despite legal challenges causing delays, Bishop Usher assured Synod members that the project continues. He underscored the importance of the initiative, referencing a 2026 United Nations resolution that labeled the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity,” reinforcing the Church’s moral duty to act.
However, the proposed fund has faced opposition. Recent surveys indicate that 81% of churchgoers believe the funds should be directed to local parishes, with 61% considering withdrawing financial support if Project Spire proceeds.
Critics, including legal experts, question whether the Church Commissioners have the authority to use endowment funds this way, raising concerns about their duties as charity trustees. Bishop Usher addressed these concerns, asserting that the Commissioners ensure expenditures align with charitable purposes and powers.
Project Spire has also been criticized by Oxford professor and Anglican theologian, Lord Nigel Biggar. He argues against reparations, claiming they would “privilege black suffering over that of everyone else.” Read more here.
Last year, several Conservative MPs and peers, including Shadow Home Office minister Katie Lam, urged the Archbishop of Canterbury to abandon the plans, describing them as “high-profile and legally dubious vanity projects.”
The MPs emphasized that endowment funds should support parish ministry, maintain church buildings, and care for the Church’s historic records. They warned that redefining charitable purposes for political projects could pressure other institutions to follow suit, regardless of their legal obligations or donor intentions.
Dr. Richard Dale, Emeritus Professor at the University of Southampton, has disputed claims that Queen Anne’s Bounty financially benefited from the slave trade. He criticized the Church’s historical advisers for misleading the Commissioners and called for transparency and accountability in their research. Dale urged a pause in Project Spire to amend inaccuracies in the original report. Read more of his views on theologian Ian Paul’s blog.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
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