Slavery

2007 - the anniversary year of the act for the abolition of
slavery

In March 2007 the Archbishops of Canterbury and York asked people to reflect on the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade and use the anniversary of the Act for its abolition as a springboard to take action to tackle the impact of the trade's legacies today, including examples of human trafficking and oppression across the globe.

At the Primates meeting in Tanzania the Archbishops' attended a service in Zanzibar where the Cathedral Church now stands proudly on the site that was once the market place for the trading of slaves. The manacles and shackles which remain in the slave pit bear testament to the true inhumanity endured by those slaves.

Dr Sentamu said: "We need to rediscover a new faith-based movement for social and economic justice, which has hope, rather than anger, at its core. I believe that movement is the Church and it is my hope that as we commemorate the achievements of the abolitionists over the coming months we might also re-dedicate ourselves to being that change which we want to see in the world."

The Archbishops' call for the commemoration of the Bicentenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade to be an agent for change in society has since been a regular feature in the news. Short excerpts of the news follow below for your interest...

Freedom is coming

The Archbishop who most recently returned from the West Indies, where the evils of slavery had been rife, apologised for the Anglican Church's participation in the slave trade. He reflected on his visit and compared the historical scene with forms of slavery today in a Wilberforce Lecture entitled 'Freedom is coming'. His lecture called for the eradication of below-subsistence wages and encouraged support for fair-trade produce including tea, sportswear and chocolate. The Wilberforce Lecture Trust celebrates the historic role of Kingston upon Hull in combating the abuse of Human Rights personified in the work of the abolitionist William Wilberforce. For more information about his West Indies visit, please click here.

Freeman of the City of Montego Bay

The Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, has been made a free man of a city which was part of the Golden Triangle of the Slave Trade. During a visit to Jamaica to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Dr. Sentamu was made a free man of the city of Montego Bay and given a key to the city. The Archbishop was given the honour due to his "fight for justice and freedom on behalf of the fellowman".

Accepting the key of the city the Archbishop spoke of the challenges that faced cities everywhere: "The responsibility of every councillor is to ensure that Montego Bay resembles the city of God. And in the city of God, everyone is welcome. At the end we will not be judged by how well we play, but by how well we serve, particularly the poor and the people facing poverty and injustices".

For more information, please visit http://archbishopofyorkinja.com/blog/?cat=13

Special convocation at UWI for Sentamu

Dr John Sentamu has apologised to the people of the West Indies for the involvement of the Anglican Church in the transatlantic slave trade. The Archbishop was speaking at a special convocation of the University of the West Indies (UWI) where he was made an honorary Doctor of Laws.  This marked the sixth time in the history of the UWI that a special convocation was held. Those honoured at past convocations include Desmond Tutu in 1986, Nelson Mandela in 1991, Colin Powell in 1994, Harry Belafonte in 1996 and Kofi Annan in 1998.

Speaking at the National Arena, before a capacity crowd, Dr. Sentamu urged the congregation to pursue authenticity and to rejoice in God's individual gifts to each: "God rejoices in the fact that he created each one of you ... That is the greatest message of the sermon this morning, be yourself and don't try and be somebody else."

For more information, please visit http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20071004/news/news1.html

Archbishop of York unveils William Wilberforce statue  

Pocklington school's most famous pupil has been commemorated with a statue in the school grounds in late September 2007. William Wilberforce was a pupil at Pocklington School between 1771 and 1776 and the statue created by Sally Arnup depicts him aged 15.  The Archbishop of York unveiled the bronze figure, reminding the pupils, parents and invited guests including members of the Wilberforce family that, "William Wilberforce's faith transformed his life and the lives of countless men and women across the world. He became the change he wanted to see in the world. The challenge for us all is to live that faith, with the same passion, to transform our lives and be the change we want to see. "

The school commissioned the statue to mark the bicentenary of the abolishing of the Slave Trade Act, in which Wilberforce played a major part

For more information, please visit http://www.pocklingtonpost.co.uk/news/
Statue-unveiled.3241750.jp

Presentation of Slave vases to the House of Lords and House of Commons

In further commemorating the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, the Archbishop of York presented two slave vases to the Speaker of the House of Lords and House of Commons representing both Houses of Parliament.The vase depicts a kneeling slave in chains surrounded by the caption 'Am I not a man and a brother?'. The six priceless vases created by John Mohin, Director of Wedgwood, are replicas of those originally created by Josiah Wedgwood who was part of the 18th century British Committee to abolish the slave trade. The Archbishop of York presented slave vases at the Walk of Witness service to Richard Wilberforce - the descendant of William Wilberforce, Drexel Gomez – The Archbishop of West Indies and Most Revd. Dr. Justice Akrofi – The Archbishop of West Africa, to give to the President of Ghana.

About the Walk of Witness

The Archbishops' led hundreds of people, including foreign dignitaries and leaders of other Churches, through London on a Walk of Witness to mark the landmark anniversary. A dedicated website, www.makingourmark.org.uk, contains full details of the routes, and pictures from the event

The Archbishop thanks the Lord Chancellor

The Archbishop also presented slave medallions to Lord Chancellor Jack Straw as a token of his gratitude for setting up the judicial inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence and has placed medallions within time capsules at the opening of schools and colleges in 2007.