World Council of Churches Demands Apology from Blair on Slave Trade
Prime Minister Tony Blair has been told by head of the World Council of Churches (WCC) that the people of Africa are still waiting for an "unambiguous apology" and "acknowledgement" from European nations over their participation in the atrocities of the slave trade 200 years ago.
by Daniel Blake
Posted: Friday, March 23, 2007, 8:56 (GMT)
Prime Minister Tony Blair has been told by head of the World Council of Churches (WCC) that the people of Africa are still waiting for an "unambiguous apology" and "acknowledgement" from European nations over their participation in the atrocities of the slave trade 200 years ago.
"People of African descent in the diaspora and in Africa await an unambiguous apology and clear sign from European nations that acknowledges their participation in this terrible part of colonial history" that was the slave trade, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia has told Blair.
While appreciating that Blair has had the "courage to remind people of this tragic part of the colonial history," Kobia says he hopes that under the Prime Minister's leadership, European nations can "begin a process of truth-telling, repentance and reconciliation in order to promote an honest and open dialogue in relation to the scars left [...] as a part of the colonial legacy".
Dated March 16, the letter refers to the upcoming bicentennial anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, which Britain and the Commonwealth will mark on Sunday, 25 March 2007.
In his letter, Kobia also reminds Mr Blair - after having done the same earlier with the Archbishop of Canterbury - of a dream cherished by the late renowned British missiologist and ecumenist Bishop Lesslie Newbigin.
After visiting Ghana's Elmina Castle - a medieval fortress where slaves were held captive in dungeons before being forcibly shipped to America - Newbigin wrote about his desire that "some representative Englishman - an archbishop or prime minister - might come to Ghana and go down into that dungeon, kneel down on the floor and offer a prayer of contrition".
"Perhaps this bicentennial year of the abolition of the slave trade is the right moment to heed Bishop Newbigin's admonition," Kobia suggests.
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Added: Friday, March 23, 2007, 23:26 (GMT)
I believe that irt is not appropriate or even possible for anyone of our generation to apologise for what a previopus generation did. I do most sincerely apologise for the times I have bought cheap coffee without thought for those who were deprived of a decent living so that I could save a few pence. Our church is deeply involved in FaitTrade, a way of liberating the economic slaves of today.
Rev Mike Spencer, Wolverhampton, UK
Added: Friday, March 23, 2007, 10:52 (GMT)
I think that more people in this country might feel that an apology from our Government is appropriate when the African countries will face up to the fact that much of the slavery could not have taken place without their active assistance. I am still waiting to hear such an admission even though such evidence clearly exists.
Theo, Worthing, Great Britain
