Free Church of Scotland expresses sorrow over historical slavery links

The Free Church of Scotland has expressed “sorrow” over the “historical sins” of members of the denomination in relation to slavery.

In a press release, it expressed particular “regret” over the receipt of funds linked to slavery because of this of a visit by a Free Church delegation to the US in 1844. 

“The Free Church recognises and freely admits the historical sins of members of the denomination in relation to slavery,” it said.

“In particular we make an apology over the interaction between members of a Free Church delegation that visited the USA in 1844 and a few of their US associates. We grieve that the Free Church decided to receive funds because of this of the delegation.

“Even though we, because the Free Church today, are unlikely to be the beneficiaries of those funds as a result of the varied transfers of property to other denominations, yet as their successors we acknowledge with sorrow the actions of our forebears who held the name of Free Church office holders.”

The Church said that it was “firmly against all types of racism and slavery” and that a lot of today’s Free Church congregations and individual members are “financially, prayerfully, and actively engaged with organisations working to release and protect people from modern-day slavery and trafficking”. 

“The Bible teaches that everyone seems to be made within the image of God and worthy of inherent dignity and respect. We are all equal within the eyes of God and the Bible urges us to like each other without partiality,” the Church said.