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Truth Telling: Slavery and the Anglican Church

The Church of England Racial Justice Unit (CoERJU) is developing an international convening for the Anglican community to confront the historical involvement of the Anglican church in the institution of slavery, and explore ways to repair the damage of its painful enduring legacies.

This event was held at the University of Liverpool, in the city which is also home to the International Slavery Museum.

CoERJU are guided by the Archbishop’s anti-racism taskforce report  (PDF download, 1.1MB), and the work to address the Church Commissioners' report on historic links to transatlantic slavery.

The Centre for the Study of International Slavery (CSIS), in collaboration with CofERJU and supported by Dr Leona Vaughn, Slavery and Unfree Labour Research Fellow, brought together community researchers, academics and theologians to uncover the historic role of the church in enslavement and the lasting legacies of this violent past. 

This collaboration began with an online seminar series, 'Truth Telling: Slavery and the Anglican Church'.

It also involved a participatory workshop series, with visits to Anglican churches and engagement with historical records, exhibitions and speakers.

Watch on Panopto: Panel 1: People not Property, Names not Numbers

Panel 1: People not Property, Names not Numbers

21 March 2023

This seminar set the context of the historic role of the church in enslavement and colonialism, as well as the lasting legacies of this violent past. Moderated by Professor Stephen Small, an expert in British Imperialism at the University of California Berkeley, this panel brought together esteemed researchers of slavery and the church.

Watch on Panopto: Panel 2: Women, Slavery and the Church

Panel 2: Women, Slavery and the Church

13 May 2024

This webinar considered specifically the role of women as enslavers/beneficiaries of African enslavement, and their links to the Anglican church, including religious justifications for keeping African-descended people enslaved. It focused on women as resistors/rebels against slavery (including as church leaders); and how women, especially Black women, are viewed in the church today as a result of slavery.

Watch on YouTube: Panel 3: Liverpool, Slavery and Church of England

Panel 3: Liverpool, Slavery and Church of England

3 December 2024

A panel discussion between local historians/activists and those working for change within the Church. It not only outlined the historical truth to be told, but also shared experiences and considerations of further actions for repair towards racial justice and healing.

What next?

As a result of this unique knowledge partnership, Dr Vaughn is now a participant in the UNESCO Global Dialogues for Reparatory Justice, supporting work to shape and inform the role research and universities can play in advancing justice and repair.
The conversation about the historical role of the Church of England in transatlantic slavery continues to develop. The Church is still grappling with the legacies of its involvement as fresh evidence of its scale continues to emerge.

Additional resources

If you'd like to learn more about ongoing research into the history of the Anglican Church’s involvement in slavery, and Liverpool’s broader colonial legacies, we've compiled a list of key resources that provide further insight into these important topics.

Our panellists also provided recommended reading lists for each discussion.