While the Church’s part in justifying slavery is a source of shame, Anglicans including Wilberforce or John Newton, the former slave ship captain turned minister and composer of the hymn “Amazing Grace”, were powerfully motivated by their Christian faith. Wilberforce brought bills before Parliament for twenty successive years until legislation to abolish the Slave Trade was passed. The Church of England is mindful that slavery still exists today and alongside other organisations is actively working to educate and identify the signs of exploitation in their communities.
A Prayer of Repentance
Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done, for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty. Amen.
A Prayer for Racial Justice
God of justice, who rejoices in your creation and the beauty of our diversity, give us passion to live well, with respect for all, with delight in difference, with commitment to inclusion, and with hope for our future in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
