The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has unveiled a significant and personal discovery about his ancestry: one of his forebears was involved in slave ownership. This startling information came to light when Welby traced his family roots, particularly focusing on his biological father, Sir Anthony Montague Browne.
Welby revealed his great-great-great-grandfather, Sir James Fergusson, was the owner of the Rozelle Plantation located in St Thomas, Jamaica, where enslaved individuals worked under dire conditions. Following the abolition of slavery, the Fergusson family received compensation from the British government as part of the reparations scheme, indicative of the historical injustices associated with slavery.
The Archbishop made this disclosure recently, emphasizing the emotional weight of learning about his family's past, which is tied to the exploitation and suffering of many. He stated, "My recent trip to Jamaica has helped me to confront the legacies of enslavement in the Caribbean and the responsibility owed to those who still suffer from the effects of this evil trade." Welby expressed remorse and acknowledged the continuing impact of slavery, underlining the role churches and individuals play in addressing historical wrongs.
Sir James Fergusson was part of the 19th-century society where plantations thrived on the backs of enslaved people — about 200 individuals were working on the Rozelle plantation at its peak. The compensation paid to the Fergusson family was part of the broader £20 million package allocated by the British government for former slave owners when slavery was abolished. This amount totaled approximately £3,500 at the time, which would be equivalent to over £3 million today.
The revelations did not end there for the Archbishop, who discovered about his biological father only relatively recently, through DNA testing. Sir Anthony, who served as the private secretary to Winston Churchill, had died three years prior to Welby making this discovery, leaving him to process these complex family ties posthumously. Welby had been raised by Gavin Welby, whom he thought to be his father, so this new knowledge was unexpected and deeply transformative.
Adding to the emotional gravity of the situation, Welby referenced how many descendants of enslaved individuals have dedicated their lives to researching and exposing these historical truths, saying, "I thank those who have devoted their time to such tireless research, many of whom are descendants of enslaved people." The sharing of his ancestry sits within the broader framework of the Church of England's attempts to reckon with its historical connections to slavery.
Earlier this year, the Church committed £100 million to initiatives aimed at addressing past injustices tied to slavery within its financial holdings. An independent oversight group highlighted the inadequacy of this initial pledge, advocating for the target to be raised to £1 billion to make genuine reparative efforts and repair the damage done.
Since learning about his family’s past, Welby has consistently expressed deep remorse over the links to slavery, characterizing it as part of the Church’s collective shame. He remarked, "I give thanks to God for this opportunity to reflect and engage with the past. It's imperative we acknowledge this history to pave the way for healing, justice, and repair, as instructed by Jesus Christ."
Despite the challenges presented by these revelations, Justin Welby sees this as an opportunity for growth and truth-seeking. He remains committed to the Church of England's mission which aims not only to community reparations but also to educate others about the impact of slavery and the need for collective accountability moving forward.
His trip to Jamaica and recent statements stem from traditional Anglican beliefs, emphasizing the need to address systematic inequities stemming from slavery. The Church of England’s fund, aimed at historical reparations, accompanies initiatives promoting awareness and educational programs around the legacies of slavery, and the societal responsibilities churches and institutions hold.
The archbishop’s findings represent more than personal discovery; they resonate with many churches grappling with their own historic entanglements with slavery. His commitment to confronting these issues reflects the growing movement among religious and cultural institutions to take responsibility for their pasts. The Church of England, under Welby’s leadership, now faces the monumental task of not just recognizing its historical wrongs but actively working to redress them, advocating for justice and enduring change.
The work to dismantle systemic injustice is continuous, and the Archbishop’s statements spur dialogue across the broader community about the need to make reparations, ensuring these painful histories are neither forgotten nor repeated.
Welby’s story, intertwined with the dark realities of slavery, serves as both a reflection on the past and reinforces the urgency needed to address historical injustices today. His emotional honesty and the Church of England's initiatives stand as significant steps toward reconciliation, striving for healing and justice for those directly affected by the legacies of colonial exploitation.
