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<p>The Archbishop of Canterbury has been unequivocal on the theology of this issue,
noting on his visit to Cape Coast Castle in Ghana in February 2023:</p><p>“It was
a reminder that the abomination of African chattel enslavement was blasphemy: those
who imprisoned men and women in those dungeons saw them as less than human. It is
to the Church of England’s eternal shame that it did not always follow Christ’s teaching
to give life. It is a stain on the wider church that some Christians did not see their
brothers and sisters as created in the image of God, but as objects to be exploited.”</p><p>The
Church Commissioners has been investigating its historic links to the chattel slave
trade since 2019 and published a full, transparent report of the findings in January
2023. More information about the whole project is available here:<br> <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/national-church-institutions/church-commissioners-england/who-we-1"
target="_blank">Church Commissioners Links to Historic Transatlantic Slavery | The
Church of England</a></p><p>The Church Commissioners seek, through the research it
has done and its response, to acknowledge the truth of the past, apologise for the
wrongs that this research has highlighted, and to address these wrongs through repentance,
remembrance, reconciliation, and renewal. The Church Commissioners believe that by
addressing its past transparently, particularly this part of our past, the Church
and its teachings will be more relevant to more people. The response is an important
missional activity that will support the work and ministry of the Church of England
in England.</p><p>The Church Commissioners are committed to setting up an Impact Investment
Fund as part of its response to invest in a better and fairer future for all, particularly
for communities affected by historic enslavement. It is hoped this fund will grow
over time, reinvesting returns to enable it to have a positive and lasting legacy
that will exist in perpetuity and with the potential for other institutions to participate,
further enabling growth in the size and impact of the fund. This Fund will be seeded
with a £100 million commitment from the Church Commissioners.</p><p>Despite recent
press speculation, the Church Commissioners has no plans to increase its contribution
to the Fund over the planned funding period. It is hoped that growth in the impact
fund will also enable grant funding for projects focused on improving opportunities
for communities impacted by historic African chattel enslavement.</p><p>The Church
Commissioners have also committed to undertake further research, including into the
Church Commissioners' history, supporting dioceses and parishes to research and address
their historic links with African chattel enslavement, and sharing best practices
with other organisations researching their enslavement legacies.</p>
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