from Religion Media Centre
The Times reports that a priest and a churchwarden are spearheading a legal challenge to Project Spire, the Church of England’s £100m slavery reparations fund, which would provide grants to projects addressing racial inequalities linked to the Church’s historic involvement in the slave trade.
The Rev Jamie Franklin and barrister Bijan Omrani argue that the fund falls outside the Church Commissioners’ charitable purpose of supporting the Church’s mission and ministry. They have applied to the Charity Commission for permission to bring proceedings in the Chancery Division of the High Court, with a decision expected soon. They say the money would be better spent supporting struggling parishes and overstretched clergy.
The Church Commissioners say the money would come from their endowment, not parish income or collections, and would represent Christian repentance and responsible stewardship.