Fresh evidence of C of E’s role in enslavement uncovered as church wrestles with reparations debate

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-16T05:09:02.954Z • Permanent link

A shocking revelation has emerged from the Register of British Slave Traders, a long-buried document that sheds light on the complicity of the Church of England in the transatlantic slave trade. The register, which spans over a century, reveals that clergymen from the Church of England financed a company that trafficked enslaved Africans on hundreds of voyages. One of the key individuals involved was Reverend Samuel Seabury, a clergyman who had ties to the slave-trading company and had also served as a governor of the Colony of Connecticut. Seabury's involvement raises serious questions about the moral authority of the Church of England, which has long claimed to be a bastion of Christianity.

The Register of British Slave Traders, a document that had long been shrouded in secrecy, finally came to light in the early 19th century. The register, which contained the names of slave traders and their vessels, was used to track the movement of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic. The document reveals that many clergymen, including those from the Church of England, were involved in the slave trade, often using their positions of power to facilitate the transportation of enslaved individuals. The revelation has sparked outrage among many, who argue that the Church of England's complicity in the slave trade is a stain on its reputation.

The Church of England has long been criticized for its handling of the slave trade, with many arguing that the institution failed to do enough to condemn the practice. However, the Register of British Slave Traders provides a detailed account of the Church's involvement in the slave trade, revealing a complex web of relationships between clergymen and slave traders. The revelation has sparked a renewed debate about reparations, with many calling for the Church of England to take responsibility for its historical role in the slave trade.

The revelation about the Church of England's complicity in the slave trade has significant implications for the Global Infrastructure domain. Many companies that operate in the financial sector have historical ties to the slave trade, and the Church of England's involvement raises questions about the morality of their practices. For example, the Church of England's ownership of slave trading companies, such as the Royal African Company, has been well-documented. The revelation about the Church's involvement in the slave trade highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the financial sector.

The debate over reparations has also sparked a wider conversation about the impact of historical injustices on contemporary society. The Church of England's complicity in the slave trade is a stark reminder of the need for greater awareness and understanding of the historical context of the slave trade. Research communities and policymakers are now grappling with the practical implications of this revelation, including the need for greater reparations and restorative justice.

The revelation about the Church of England's complicity in the slave trade is part of a larger pattern of institutional complicity in historical injustices. The legacy of slavery and colonialism continues to shape contemporary society, with many institutions and individuals still grappling with the moral implications of their historical actions. The debate over reparations is part of a broader conversation about the need for greater accountability and transparency in institutions.