Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Opposes State Slavery Reparations

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has publicly stated that government-funded reparations for slavery would be a moral evil. Writing for The Independent, Welby argued that it is unjust to impose financial penalties on the entire British population for historical crimes they did not personally commit. He noted that many modern UK taxpayers have no ancestral connection to the profits of the slave trade, and some are themselves descendants of those affected by slavery.

Welby distinguished his stance on national reparations from his support for the Church of England’s Project Spire. While he opposes state-level wealth transfers, he maintains that the Church’s initiative is a responsible investment program aimed at fostering human flourishing rather than an admission of inherited guilt. This position contrasts with the views of some church leaders, including his successor Sarah Mullally, who have emphasized the importance of the Church’s ongoing journey of repentance regarding its historical ties to the transatlantic slave trade.