Archbishop Welby Discloses Ancestor's Slave Ownership

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has publicly acknowledged his family's historical ties to slavery, revealing that his ancestor, Sir James Fergusson, owned enslaved individuals on a Jamaican plantation and was compensated by the British government upon abolition. He discovered this connection through research into his biological father, Sir Anthony Montague Browne, learning that Browne was the great-great-grandson of Fergusson, who received over £3,500 in compensation in 1836, equivalent to more than £3 million today. Welby expressed deep remorse for these links and stated it is time to take action to address this 'shameful past.' The Church of England has committed to a £100 million reparations fund aimed at supporting communities affected by historical slavery. This acknowledgment is part of the church's broader effort to confront its historical benefits from slavery, as highlighted by its £9 billion endowment's connections to Queen Anne's Bounty, established in 1704. Welby's revelations have sparked discussions on the ongoing impact of slavery and the importance of reparative justice.