Diocese of Southern Ohio Allocates $500,000 for Racial Reparations Program

The Diocese of Southern Ohio has committed $500,000 in initial funding for a racial reparations program, aligning with similar initiatives in other Episcopal dioceses as The Episcopal Church addresses its historical involvement with white supremacy and racist systems.

Bishop Kristin Uffelman White announced the funding in a February 23rd news release, stating the money will come from a diocesan endowment fund and will support four historically Black congregations: St. Philip Episcopal Church in Columbus, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Trotwood, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Cincinnati and St. Simon of Cyrene Episcopal Church in Lincoln Heights.

“This action does not indicate the completion of this work, nor the conclude of anticipated restitution of financial resources,” Bishop White said. “Rather, it marks an important first step in an ongoing process and demonstrates a meaningful financial commitment to reinvest in the vitality and self-determination of our Black leadership and communities.”

Origins of the Reparations Effort

The Diocese of Southern Ohio’s current efforts began with a task force formed in 2020 by then-Bishop Thomas Breidenthal. The task force was charged with researching the diocese’s history, initiating conversations, and recommending actions in support of racial justice. The Commission on Reparative Justice, comprised of representatives from each of the four historically Black congregations, is now leading the diocesan efforts.

A Growing Movement Within The Episcopal Church

The Diocese of Southern Ohio is not alone in pursuing reparations. Many other dioceses within The Episcopal Church are exploring or implementing financial initiatives to address the church’s historical complicity in racial exploitation, acknowledging that its financial foundations and physical structures were often built on enslaved labor and other forms of racial injustice.

Several dioceses have already taken significant steps:

• Diocese of Maryland: Created a $1 million seed fund in 2020 and awarded its first grants in 2022. [Episcopal News Service]
• Diocese of New York: Authorized a Reparations Fund in 2018 and committed $1.1 million from its endowment in 2019. [Episcopal News Service]
• Diocese of Virginia: Passed a resolution in 2021 to establish a $10 million endowment for a reparations fund and allocate an additional $500,000 for a racial justice and healing fund. [Episcopal News Service]

Other dioceses with ongoing reparations programs include the Dioceses of Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, Michigan, Chicago, and Long Island, as well as Virginia Theological Seminary.

Impact in Southern Ohio

The $500,000 allocated in the Diocese of Southern Ohio will be used to “aid establish or strengthen parish endowments of the four congregations, supporting their long-term financial health, vitality and ministry.” The Rev. Aaron Rodgers, Southern Ohio’s missioner for Black ministries, will assist the congregations in strengthening their capacities for mission with these additional resources.

The Diocese of Southern Ohio encompasses 70 congregations in the southern half of the state.