Religion and Politics

Catholic Order Pledges $100 Million to Atone for Slave Labor and Sales

Rachel L. Swarns of The New York Times reports, “In one of the largest efforts by an institution to atone for slavery, a prominent order of Catholic priests has vowed to raise $100 million to benefit the descendants of the enslaved people it once owned and to promote racial reconciliation initiatives across the United States.” The Jesuits, who founded what is now Georgetown University, plan to create grants for racial reconciliation projects, support scholarships for the descendants, and attend to the pressing needs of elderly descendants with the funds. The reparations will be funneled into the newly established Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation that is led by the descendants and Jesuit leaders. Joseph Stewart, whose ancestors were sold to fund Georgetown, said, “They did not come running to us, but because we went to them with open arms and open hearts, they responded.” He continued, “They have embraced our vision.”

Read at The New York Times

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