Religious leaders in Boston have demanded “white churches” pay millions of dollars in reparations to the city’s black community.
The activist clergy also called on them to push the city of Boston to pay $15 billion in reparations for its historic role in the slave trade.
The event at Resurrection Lutheran Church was organized by the Boston People’s Reparations Commission, which made the $15 billion demand.
One of the speakers was the Rev. Kevin Peterson, who wants to rename the marketplace Faneuil Hall because Peter Faneuil, the wealthy merchant who built it, was a prominent slave trader in the 18th century.
“We sincerely and with hearts full of faith and Christian love call on our white churches to join us in not remaining silent on this issue of racism and slavery and to work for reparations,” he said.
Boston religious leaders demanded that ‘white churches’ provide millions of dollars in reparations to the city’s black community during an event at Resurrection Lutheran Church
“We appoint them in Christian love to publicly atone for the sins of slavery and we ask them to publicly commit to a process of reparations.
“Where they will extend their great wealth – tens of millions of dollars under some of those churches – into the black community.”
Peterson said a letter signed by 16 clergy, both black and white, was sent to churches where the group wanted to participate in providing reparations.
The letter detailed ways in which reparations could be paid, including in cash or through the creation of affordable housing or “financial and economic institutions in Black Boston.”
The churches mentioned in the latter were King’s Chapel, Arlington Street Church, Trinity Church and Old South Church.
These churches were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, and hundreds of slaves were owned by clergy and parishioners.
The Rev. Kevin Peterson said a letter signed by 16 clergy, both black and white, was sent to churches where the group wanted to participate in giving reparations.
The Rev. John Gibbons, of Arlington Street Church, also spoke at the event, saying churches were examining their histories and discussing reparations, but that wasn’t enough.
“Somehow we have to move with some urgency toward action and that’s why part of what we’re doing is pushing and encouraging white churches to go beyond what they’ve done so far,” he said .
King’s Chapel published research showing that over hundreds of years of its history, 219 slaves were owned by pastors and church members.
Old South Church also published a report on its historical ties to slavery and its minister, the Rev. John Edgerton, supports the group’s efforts.
“Old South is committed to learning the truth about our history and making repairs – the God who loves justice demands nothing less,” he told the newspaper. Boston sphere.
Baptist leader Archbishop Leo Edward said the US had failed to provide the promised “40 acres and a mule” to enslaved people and that they needed to do so now.
‘Do you know what the hectares are? The prisons! And the mules (are) the prisoners,” he said at the event.
Peterson also mentioned the Catholic Church, despite it being outlawed in Massachusetts until the state constitution was adopted in 1780.
“Unfortunately, they helped perpetuate institutionalized racism throughout the city,” he said.
“We’re not just looking at the period of slavery, we’re looking at three centuries of institutionalized anti-black racism, and the Catholic Church includes the churches we want to include.”
The Rev. John Gibbons, of Arlington Street Church, also spoke at the event, saying churches were examining their histories and discussing reparations, but that wasn’t enough.
The Archdiocese of Boston said the “suffering of the Black community continues to affect us in the Commonwealth and nationally” and that it “will certainly review what they have proposed in the coming days.”
Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Seán O’Malley, wrote in a blog in 2020 that the US government did not do enough to support black people after the Civil War.
“Any American asked if he opposes slavery would strongly affirm his absolute opposition to this terrible institution,” he wrote.
“Today, however, we must unite in opposing the consequences this immoral practice is having on our country.”
The city of Boston created the Task Force on Reparations in 2022 to write a report on how the city could distribute reparations to its Black residents.
The city is governed by Mayor Michelle Wu, who controversially hosted a “no whites allowed” party for “Elected of Color” in December.
