The Church of England's £100 million plan to address its historical ties to slavery, Project Spire, is facing a formal legal challenge – sparking heated debate among church members and politicians alike. As staff behind the initiative endure vile abuse from critics, the question remains: what does this mean for families directly impacted by the slave trade?
Launched in 2023 after an extensive investigation into Queen Anne’s Bounty, a church endowment fund dating back to 1704, Project Spire aims to deliver reparative justice. The fund was found to have invested in the notorious South Sea Company, which transported over 34,000 enslaved individuals across the Atlantic, and received donations from prominent figures in the enslaving enterprise – including Edward Colston. In response, the Church Commissioners committed £100 million to establish an “impact investment fund” supporting start-ups in descendant communities that pursue both social and environmental objectives alongside a financial return.
Despite its stated aims, Project Spire has drawn significant criticism from right-wing think tanks like Policy Exchange and several Conservative politicians. Some church members argue it's historically uninformed and the funds could be better allocated elsewhere. Daniel Matovu, representing the Diocese of Oxford at the Synod, highlighted the Church's deep involvement in the slave trade – not just profiting but also supporting, defending, and participating in it. He suggested £100 million is a “pittance” compared to the estimated £640 million (in today's money) generated from directly running sugar plantations in Barbados between 1710 and 1838.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, robustly defended Project Spire as a “work of healing, justice, and repair”. Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich, acknowledged the legal challenge and confirmed that the Church Commissioners are seeking full legal advice to address it. He emphasised that "No amount of money can ever repay what happened to the people who were enslaved… This is a start." The Bishop also appealed for prayers for his staff, who have been subjected to “vile abuse and correspondence” regarding their involvement in Project Spire.
The Bishop of Norwich underscored the Church's responsibility for its historical actions, noting that Queen Anne’s Bounty invested in transatlantic African chattel enslavement – a trade described as "abhorrent" both then and now. He reinforced the rationale behind reparative justice initiatives like Project Spire, which aims to address ongoing legacies of disadvantage faced by descendant communities.