The Anglican Church of Bermuda has declared its “deep regret” for profiting from the slave trade.

Bishop of Bermuda Ewen Ratteray marked the bicentenary of the Slave Trade Act by putting forward a resolution acknowledging how the Island’s Church benefited from slavery.

His motion, which was unanimously backed by the Synod of the Anglican Church of Bermuda, was read at churches across the Island yesterday.

It states: “The Anglican Church of Bermuda, as an institution, benefited from the evil trade in African peoples over an extended period.

“This trade was harmful to both slave and slave owner, for it severely diminished the humanity of both parties.

“On this date, be it resolved: That the Anglican Church of our day in these islands expresses deep regret for the involvement of our church in the slave trade.

“That the Anglican Church further expresses remorse for the indignities and racial discrimination which, subsequent to the abolition of slavery, were condoned by and perpetuated within the Church.

“That the Anglican Church of Bermuda be determined to live and act in accordance with the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, in affirming the dignity and full worth of all of humanity. That the Anglican Church of Bermuda undertakes to be an instrument of healing and reconciliation in these islands of Bermuda.”

The resolution also paid tribute to the efforts of Anglican Christians such as William Wilberforce and Granville Sharp who played a major role in abolishing slavery.

It comes a year after the Church of England apologised for its part in the slave trade. At the time, Anglican Church leaders in the UK said the Church was “in it up to our eyeballs”, with members owning slaves and plantations in the Caribbean.

Hundreds of Bermudians packed out two major events to celebrate the bicentenary yesterday.

One, at the Cathedral, featured presentations on Bermuda’s slavery history and prayers and hymns symbolising the anti-slavery movement.

The other, at Commissioner’s House, in Dockyard, included a reading on slavery by Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler and entertainment from Gombeys.

People at both events were urged to remember the atrocities of the slave trade and the achievements of the campaigning abolitionists which brought it to an end.

They were also reminded of modern day slavery which continues to plague the world today.

With its Break The Chains campaign, The Royal Gazette has been calling for people to mark the bicentenary by demanding world leaders take action to help free 12 million modern day slaves.

We have been backing Anti-Slavery International’s online petition, which calls for governments across the globe to end all forms of human captivity, including human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriage.

So far, 18,600 people have signed the petition. To add your name, go to www.antislavery.org/2007/actionsign and fill in your details.

To comment on Break The Chains, call 278-0153 or e-mail tsmith[AT]royalgazette.bm