New Anglican Bishop of Bermuda Patrick White wants to begin talks over possible reparations for the church's role in slavery.

Bishop White said he would like to see Culture Minister Dale Butler's idea of church-funded scholarships come to fruition, as long as the money is available.

He hopes to get together with key members of the church to discuss the issue, along with another of his proposals for Bermuda — the ordination of women priests.

In an interview with The Royal Gazette, Bishop White became the latest in a string of community leaders to call for Bermuda's top politicians to cut out the racial rhetoric they believe maintains division on the Island.

During Bermuda's earlier days, slaves were forced to build churches, while in modern day memory slavery's legacy lived on through segregation in churches and Sunday schools.

Bishop White's predecessor Bishop Ewen Ratteray set the ball rolling for reparations with an apology for the church's participation in slavery during 2007 celebrations of the 200th anniversary of its abolition.

However, when Bishop Ratteray said the church would address the issue "in our own time and in our own way", an angry Mr. Butler called for compensation in terms of scholarships for youths.

Bishop White, who was consecrated as the second Bermudian bishop eight days ago, said: "There's scope for discussions about scholarships.

"You have got to come up with money — I would like to see that happen. We should not leave it hanging. We need to begin the discussion and see what's the first thing we can do. And let's do something.

"Ewen was the first Bermudian bishop. It would be nice to do something in recognition of that, that makes a positive contribution to Bermuda.

"If we can address issues that come out of desegregation and slavery, so much the better."

Bishop White said contributions by the Anglican church so far included making land available for housing and sending Bermudians away for theological education. He conceded this was not enough.

The Bishop said one of the hot issues currently on the Island is race, while former Premiers Sir John Swan and Alex Scott, Progressive Labour Party backbencher Wayne Perinchief and civil rights veteran Georgine Hill have all recently called for political leaders to stop playing the race card.

"The rhetoric of race is a disturbing factor, as far as I'm concerned, in Bermuda culture," said Bishop White.

"I'm not sure where it's getting us beyond the legitimate need to express one's feelings and the determination of part of our society to hold the other part of society's face to the fire and say: 'You think it's over but it ain't over yet'.

"Certainly, black people I have spoken to say they're tired of it and just want to move on with their lives.

"There are voices, it comes out on talk shows and in letters to the editor. There's an impression out there that this Government wants to continue to let it be known that this issue isn't over.

"I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a Government policy, but there are voices who get a hearing in the community."

He said education is the key to bringing greater racial equality, with the failures of the public school impacting on blacks rather than whites.

"It's already taking place; there's stuff going on to improve public education," he said.

"But while private schools are integrated, public schools at least look like they are not integrated. That says that over our history that system has not received the support it needs.

"And when it doesn't get the support it needs, and isn't effective, it means the after effects of racial discrimination are perpetuated.

"That's a place where we could really do something as a society, to recover some of that loss. Education obviously is the pathway the key to better jobs and a more satisfying life."

Should the Anglican church make reparations? E-mail news@royalgazette.bm