More US churches are committing to racism-linked reparations
By AP News
Published December 13, 2020
A plaque sits at the steps of St. James Episcopal Church, Friday Dec. 4, 2020, in New York’s Upper East Side neighborhood, acknowledging the church’s wealth created with slave labor. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas acknowledges that its first bishop in 1859 was a slaveholder. An Episcopal church in New York City erects a plaque noting the building’s creation in 1810 was made possible by wealth resulting from slavery.
And the Minnesota Council of Churches cites a host of injustices — from mid-19th century atrocities against Native Americans to police killings of Black people — in launching a first-of-its kind “truth and reparations” initiative engaging its 25 member denominations.