CHURCHES have been called on to offer their own apologies for the slave trade on Racial Justice Sunday.

 

The Revd Wale Hudson-Roberts, racial justice coordinator for the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB), encouraged churches to make such statements this Sunday due to the 'strong correlation' between racial justice issues and the legacy of slavery.

 

Congregations which could not agree to apologising 'nevertheless should have a debate - that debate is incredibly important', he said.  Individual church apologies should serve as a 'starting point', said Mr Hudson-Roberts, who argued that a Union apology was still necessary.  'A big message would be sent to the African and Caribbean communities when, as a Union, we apologise - that we are collectively wanting to say we are sorry,' he said.

 

He said there was a 'biblical mandate' supporting calls for an apology, pointing to Daniel's apology for the 'iniquities of our ancestors', and argued it was a necessary part of the healing process for African and Caribbean communities.  'For the sake of community cohesion, it's sometimes important for the offended to hear the words "I'm sorry" - that statement of regret that precedes the healing process,' he said.

 

The issue of apologising for the slave trade has been the source of debate among British Baptists in recent months, following European Baptist Federation general secretary the Revd Tony Peck's call for an apology from British Baptists.

 

Stressing his own 'repudiation and deep regret' over the trade (The Baptist Times, July 19), BUGB's General Secretary, the Revd Jonathan Edwards - who led a 'litany of sorrow' at a recent BWA meeting in Ghana recently - said that 'there will continue to be a variety of opinions on the issue of an apology, and we will need to respect one another in that'.

 

At an Association level, however, the London Baptist Association is looking at the possibility of apologising for the slave trade.  The Yorkshire Baptist Association executive is set to discuss ways of keeping the debate over the issue going nationally, according to regional ministers the Revds Ernie Whalley and Graham Brownlee, who added that the Association wanted to 'keep in step with the Baptist family'.

 

Mr Brownlee said he felt issuing a national apology was important 'because it's an issue of justice', adding that it had particular significance in Yorkshire.

 

'The slave trade has played a big part in the wealth of Yorkshire,' he said, before referring to the role of William Wilberforce, an MP for Hull, in its abolition.  'We don't want to say "Wasn't Wilberforce a great guy" and leave it at that,' he said.

 

Mr Brownlee said that Christians' involvement in the running of the slave trade called for an apology, adding that the lack of one was affecting relations between Christians today.  'The slave trade involved many people, but also Christians and Baptists in some quarters - we have a chequered past,' he said.

 

'It is an important issue nationally and internationally for our Christian brothers and sisters - it is a matter of integrity in our relationships now,' he added.  Mr Hudson-Roberts said it was important for churches to take part in Racial Justice Sunday, but added that racial justice needed to become a 'lifestyle' for churches.

 

He said he had seen examples of churches that had changed as a result of examining the issues raised by the day, but cautioned against congregations seeing it as a 'box to be ticked' or a means to 'appease your conscience'.

 

This year's Racial Justice Sunday is likely to see 'minimal' Baptist church involvement relative to the other Churches, said Mr Hudson-Roberts, who argued the denomination needed to put more emphasis on racial justice issues.

 

More racial justice advocates were needed in the Union, he said, adding that 'hearts and minds' needed to be transformed on the issue.

'People need to be willing to say that it's absolutely imperative we create a multi-cultural Baptist Union,' he said, 'then many of the churches will follow the Union's position.'

 

 

By courtesy and permission from The Baptist Times.