Church of England hands over £100MILLION as it apologises for British slavery - 'Deeply sorry for shameful past'

The Church of England has apologised for its “horrific” historical links to the slave trade.

Church commissioners, including the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, explored their history in a venture that resulted in them feeling “great dismay”.

The apology was made in a new report released on Tuesday.

The church has said sorry previously for its role, but this public show on sentiment follows a £100million pledge in funding for research into the matter.

This will begin in 2032 and it is hoped this move will result in further research into the church’s slavery connections.

The church are also aiming to use the research to positively impact communities where slavery had a major effect.

Justin Welby, expressing remorse at the church’s role, said: “I am deeply sorry for these links. It is now time to take action to address our shameful past.

“Only by obeying the command in 1 John 1:6-7*** and addressing our past transparently can we take the path that Jesus Christ calls us to walk and face our present and future with integrity.

“It is hard to do this at a time when resources in many parishes are so stretched, but by acting rightly we open ourselves to the blessing of God.”

It follows a 2020 apology from the church and the Bank of England, where they called the historic links a “source of shame”.

University College London (UCL) found nearly 100 clergymen and six governors in the church benefited from the slave trade.