Church of Scotland apologises for historical slave trade links

The church of Scotland has apologised for its historical role in slavery.

On Saturday(May 16,2026), the church’s general assembly met in Edinburgh to hear the formal apology from the Very Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton.

She said that in the past, some members of the church had offered theological justification for slavery before it was abolished in the British Empire in the 1830s.

The apology stated the kirk is “grieved beyond telling by the extraordinary suffering we have inflicted – through our actions and in our inaction – in our brothers and sisters”.

It added: “We repent, committing ourselves to changing course and bearing fruit worthy of repentance”.

The kirk also admitted that some of its members in the past had benefitted both directly and indirectly from participation in the slave trade.

Rev Foster-Fulton said: “The history we consider today continues to shape our world in ways we cannot ignore”.

She added: “Its consequences touch communities near and far, influencing the structures, attitudes and inequalities that persist around us”.

“The legacy of slavery stretches like a shadow over our local, national and global landscape.

“Naming that is not about blame, but about faithfulness – about recognising that healing begins where truth is spoken.”

The formal apology has been welcomed by Rose Wedderburn, general secretary of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

She said: “While the process has understandably evoked deep emotions – the effort invested in truth-telling and honest engagement is worthwhile.” (The Scotsman)