Caribbean Archbishop supports Archbishop of Canterbury in response to Project Spire criticism

The Most Revd Philip Wright, Archbishop of the Church in the Province of the West Indies (CPWI), has lauded the Church of England’s Project Spire initiative amid mounting criticism from Parliament.

A press release from USPG Partners in Global Mission shared that during an international gathering of bishops, he emphasized that the Anglican Church must go beyond mere symbolic apologies for its historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Instead, he urged active engagement in reparative justice to preserve its credibility in embodying the gospel’s message.

Archbishop Wright participated in the “Breaking the Chains of Injustice” International Consultation, alongside 39 other Anglican leaders from 31 nations. Organized by the UK charity USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), the conference examined the enduring impacts of colonialism on indigenous cultures, languages, and lands.

Although slavery was officially abolished in the British Caribbean in 1834 through the Slavery Abolition Act, its repercussions continue to influence the region. Today, the Caribbean faces persistent economic disparities, social inequalities, environmental damage, and other challenges that are widely attributed to the legacy of slavery.

Reportedly, over the past decade, demands for reparations from nations and organizations that benefited from the slave trade have intensified. In 2013, CARICOM—the Caribbean Community—introduced a “Ten Point Plan for Reparatory Justice.” Two years later, the CPWI passed a motion supporting calls for reparations and justice for the Caribbean region. In 2023, the Church of England responded to these appeals by launching Project Spire, a £100 million initiative designed to confront its historical ties to transatlantic slavery.

During the event, Archbishop Wright stated, “The legacy of slavery places the Anglican Church at a significant moral crossroads. The recognition of the complicity of the Church in the transatlantic slave trade opens the door to the possibility of transformation. However, if we are not careful, words can become empty rhetoric which lead to false hope – the end state of which can be worse than the original.

“The aim of reparatory justice is not to seek retribution. It is about recognising the harm caused by centuries of enslavement and exploitation that now demands deliberate and intentional redress. Initiatives like Project Spire and USPG’s Renewal and Reconciliation: The Codrington Project are the first steps towards achieving this aim.”

According to the release, the Codrington Project, launched in 2024, seeks to make amends for USPG’s involvement in the slave trade, rooted in Christopher Codrington’s 1710 donation of a Barbados plantation to the society. Among its efforts, the project aims to transfer ownership of the plantation to the descendants of enslaved individuals and to locate and honor burial sites of those enslaved.

Duncan Dormor, USPG’s General Secretary, emphasized the importance of the Church of England taking seriously the moral claims of Caribbean Anglicans for reparative justice.

“It is critically important that members of the Church of England take the moral claims of Caribbean Anglicans for reparative justice seriously. The Church was deeply involved in the brutal, inhumane, and shameful activities of the slave trade and plantation chattel slavery. As Christians we are called to the work of repair and reconciliation in a spirit of openness, humility and constructive critical reflection on the past and we should grasp this opportunity to work together to build a more just future. For USPG, reparative justice lies at the heart of the practice of Christian mission today and initiatives like Project Spire and The Codrington Project receive strong support across the Anglican Communion.”

When asked about how the Anglican Church can support Caribbean communities today, Archbishop Wright responded, “For us, I would say it needs to be a church that can help make a difference in the lives of our people. Despite all the baggage the Anglican church comes with, that is still our mission. And we hope that these collaborative efforts can help to facilitate this. There remains a lot of good that the Church has accomplished over the centuries of its work in the region.

“It is not just about money, it is about acknowledging that the issues we face today are part of the legacy of slavery. We are calling for support in building new schools and hospitals so our people can step out of the legacy of this horrendous period of history.”

The Most Revd Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, sent a message of encouragement to the gathering, stating: “I am deeply grateful for the work you are doing together this week, and for the spirit of fellowship, shared mission, and mutual encouragement that characterises your time together. USPG’s commitment to partnership, justice, and the flourishing of local churches continues to bless the Anglican Communion in profound and enduring ways.”