Senior Conservative politicians have urged the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury to cancel plans for a £100 million fund linked to the Church of England’s historical ties to slavery.
In a letter reported by the Sunday Times, a group of MPs and peers called on Dame Sarah Mullally to halt the proposal. They argue that the money should support parish churches and clergy instead.
The politicians say the existing law limits how Church endowment funds can be used. They claim the money must fund parish ministry, maintain church buildings, and preserve historic records.
The Church Commissioners, who oversee the Church’s finances, said the plans comply with charity law. They added that the process is being handled transparently.
Dame Sarah Mullally, who serves as Bishop of London, will take up the role next month and become the first woman to lead the Church of England.
Origins of the £100m proposal
In January 2023, the Church unveiled the proposal following an independent review into its historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
The Church Commissioners commissioned the review. It focused on Queen Anne’s Bounty, a fund created in 1704 to support poorer Anglican clergy.
The report found that the fund invested in activities connected to African chattel enslavement. It also accepted donations derived from those practices. The review described this involvement as a serious moral wrongdoing.
Following the findings, former Archbishop Justin Welby issued a public apology. He said the Church needed to confront its past and take responsibility.
The Commissioners then pledged £100 million over nine years. The funding aims to facilitate long-term research, focused investment, and active involvement with communities affected by slavery.
Objections from MPs and peers
Conservative MPs and peers used their letter to call for greater focus on financially stretched parishes. They criticized the fund as unnecessary and legally uncertain.
The letter’s signatories include MPs Katie Lam, Chris Philp, and Claire Coutinho. The MPs warned that many churches face closure or serious disrepair. Redirecting £100 million away from local ministry, they said, sends the wrong message. Parish support should remain the Church’s priority, according to the letter.
Church defends the initiative
The Church Commissioners responded publicly, saying the proposal remains appropriate and lawful. They said the fund aims to support healing, justice, and repair.
They added that the initiative reflects the Church of England’s mission to challenge injustice and promote reconciliation. The commissioners said governance rules will ensure accountability and legal compliance.
Leadership transition ahead
Dame Sarah Mullally will formally replace Justin Welby at a ceremony in January at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Her enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral will follow in March.
The 63-year-old previously served as the NHS’s chief nursing officer. She became a priest in 2006 and was appointed Bishop of London in 2018.
The Church of England has lacked a permanent Archbishop of Canterbury for nearly a year. Justin Welby resigned following a safeguarding controversy.
