Belizean Archbishop Calls for Concrete Reparatory Justice

The Archbishop of the Church in the Province of the West Indies (CPWI), Belizean-born The Most Reverend Philip Wright, is calling on the global Anglican community to move beyond symbolic apologies for the Church’s role in the transatlantic slave trade and take concrete steps toward reparatory justice.  Archbishop Wright, a native of Belize, made the remarks while participating in an international consultation of Anglican leaders titled Breaking the Chains of Injustice. The gathering, led by UK charity United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG), brought together 40 bishops from 31 countries to examine the enduring legacy of colonialism on indigenous cultures, language, and land.  Speaking at the forum, Wright emphasized that the Church now stands at what he described as a “significant moral crossroads.”  He noted, quote, “The legacy of slavery places the Anglican Church at a significant moral crossroads… If we are not careful, words can become empty rhetoric which lead to false hope.”  Archbishop Wright welcomed the Church of England’s 100 million pounds Project Spire initiative, launched in 2023 to address historical links to the slave trade. However, he cautioned that meaningful transformation will require sustained, intentional action.  Wright stressed that reparatory justice is not about punishment, but about acknowledging centuries of harm and working deliberately to repair it. The issue of reparations has gained increasing momentum across the Caribbean. In 2013, CARICOM launched its Ten Point Plan for Reparatory Justice, and CPWI itself passed a motion in 2015 supporting regional calls for reparations.  Archbishop Wright also underscored the practical role the Church can play in Caribbean development, stating that it is not just about money, but that they are calling for support in building new schools and hospitals so our people can step out of the legacy of this horrendous period of history.  For Belize, Archbishop Wright’s prominent voice on the global Anglican stage highlights the growing influence of Belizean leadership within the wider Caribbean church and the ongoing regional push for historical accountability and development-focused reparatory efforts.