The pressure on the Church of England to ditch its slavery reparations plan

The soaring, light-filled quire in Rochester Cathedral has witnessed centuries of worship. But beneath where the cathedral's singers sit, under its timeworn paving stones lies a dark financial legacy. Hidden in an archive until just a few years ago, were share dividends from the early 18th Century showing the cathedral's dean and chapter invested directly in a company that trafficked slaves, making profits of around 400%. "We think it paid for a huge renovation project here at that time," says the Very Reverend Philip Hesketh, Dean of Rochester, pointing out the quire paving that was relaid. "There were some major things like seven Georgian houses in Minor Canon Row just outside the cathedral, accommodation for staff, clergy, and an organist's house," he says. In the south aisle of the nave is also an elaborate wall monument commemorating John, 1st Lord Henniker who was buried at the cathedral in 1803. He was one of the most prominent anti-abolitionist members of parliament and had close personal links to the slave trade. "I think it's important to identify it, acknowledge it and to tell that story," says Hesketh. What is happening at Rochester mirrors a broader reckoning happening

Jun 18, 2026 → Jun 18, 2026