Dame Sarah Mullally, the newly appointed head of the Church of England, is on her first pastoral visit to Africa, with a significant focus on reparative justice during her trip to Ghana. At Cape Coast Castle, a site notorious for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, she was shown the dungeons where enslaved individuals were held and the infamous “door of no return.” Reflecting on her experience, Dame Sarah expressed deep sorrow over the brutal conditions faced by enslaved people and acknowledged the Church’s historical involvement in slavery. The Church of England has previously issued apologies for its links to the slave trade, including its financing through slave-operated plantations and direct involvement of clergy members as slave owners.
Why It Matters
This visit highlights the ongoing dialogue around reparative justice, particularly regarding the Church of England’s historical complicity in slavery. The Church has acknowledged its past associations with the slave trade, which included benefiting from donations by slave traders and operating slave-farmed plantations to fund missionary activities. Cape Coast Castle serves as a poignant reminder of the historical injustices of slavery, which continue to resonate today. Understanding the Church’s role in this history is crucial for addressing the legacies of colonialism and fostering reconciliation efforts in present-day contexts.
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