Church of Scotland issues slavery apology

The Church of Scotland on Saturday issued a proper apology for historical links to chattel slavery, saying it was “grieved beyond telling” for the suffering inflicted, and pledging to take forward work on reparative next steps.

The apology, adopted on the Church’s General Assembly meeting in Edinburgh, said that the institution had each directly and not directly benefited from slavery and that a few of its members had previously offered theological justifications for the system before abolition within the British Empire within the 1830s.

“We repent, committing ourselves to changing course and bearing fruit worthy of repentance,” the apology stated.

The Church plans to determine a recent working group in partnership with communities still apparently affected by the legacies of slavery. The group might be tasked with recommending next steps.

Presenting the apology to the Assembly, the Very Rev Sally Foster-Fulton described the move as “a humbling moment” and “a gracious opportunity to say we’re sorry”.

“The history we consider today continues to shape our world in ways we cannot ignore. Its consequences touch communities near and much, influencing the structures, attitudes and inequalities that persist around us,” she said. 

“The legacy of slavery stretches like a shadow over our local, national and global landscape.

“Naming that is just not about blame, but about faithfulness – about recognizing that healing begins where truth is spoken.”

The apology said the Church of Scotland was “grieved beyond telling by the extraordinary suffering we’ve inflicted – through our actions and our inaction – on our brothers and sisters”.

The Church said it believed that the results of slavery proceed to shape racial inequality and lived experience today.

Delegates from Africa and the Caribbean were present in the course of the Assembly debate and responded to the apology, offering each support and calls for concrete motion.

Rose Wedderburn, General Secretary of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, praised the Church for its “courage” in acknowledging its past.

“For many within the Church of Scotland, this report has been a watch opener,” she said.

“While the method has understandably evoked deep emotions – the trouble invested in truth-telling and honest engagement is worth it. And we pray it’s going to proceed to bear fruit in greater understanding, healing, justice and reconciliation.”

Rev Dr Victor Okoe of Abbey Trinity Presbyterian Church in Ghana said, “I pray the Church and its members might be daring and proceed to be committed to walk the talk and implement the demands of its apology,.”

His Eminence Dr Ekpenyong Akpanika, Prelate and Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, gave a cautious welcome to the direction of travel.

“Real acknowledgement should result in real repair and higher relationships,” he said.

“For this to occur churches in the worldwide north and the worldwide south have to move past all patterns of control and construct a partnership of respect, shared leadership, justice and equality. True reconciliation takes greater than just words.”

The apology and report followed consultations with church members, ministers, and folks of African heritage, in addition to international engagement including a pilgrimage to Jamaica and dialogue with partner churches within the Caribbean.

The Church said the method had informed its understanding of how slavery’s legacy continues to influence institutions, attitudes and inequality in modern society.

The General Assembly said the brand new working group would engage with affected communities to discover appropriate types of response and motion in the approaching period.