"Anglican Slavery in New Jersey" Reviewed in AEH Journal by Rev. Dr. Valerie Bailey

The first academic review of Anglican Slavery in New Jersey: An Initial Accounting (the first book produced as a result of the Diocese of New Jersey Racial Justice Review), was just published in the September issue of Anglican and Episcopal History Journal! To read the whole thing you need to become a member of the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church or you need to have access to JSTOR.ORG. But for if neither of those work for you, here are some of the highlights from the very generous review from Rev. Dr. Valerie Bailey of the Stevenson School of Ministry:

"Episcopal dioceses have been reflecting for almost twenty years about how the church may have been complicit in the slave trade and systemic racism. The Diocese of New Jersey invited a historian to the conversation. The result is a significant contribution to the history of the Episcopal Church. Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski’s recent book, Anglican Slavery in New Jersey, is a powerful example of the outcome of these conversations, especially those related to the General Convention 2006 Resolution A143 to examine and repent for complicity in slavery. Since then, dioceses have engaged in anti-racism work in the church, starting with the question of how the church was complicit in slavery. Pruszinski’s work continued a year-long reparations task force that became a commission, formed by Bishop William H. Stokes. Pruszinski has served as the historian of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey’s Reparations Commission since 2022. His work draws from primary sources that indicate the church was not only complicit but a participant in the development of New Jersey’s slave economy (xvii). This book is a compelling example of what dioceses can do to challenge racism by going beyond “thoughts and prayers” and engaging in historical research."

"The book contains many examples of church leaders who were enslavers and whose wealth helped build the Diocese of New Jersey. “This willingness to work with and benefit from slavery at the highest levels of leadership in the diocese also translated into lay comfort with the institution,” writes Pruszinski (36). The book concludes with an invitation for more narratives related to the church’s complicity in slavery, especially the narratives of church leaders as enslavers, and the laws that disenfranchised Blacks and relegated their stories into obscurity. The conversation about racism focuses on the severe harm caused by slavery and the need for reparations – acknowledgment of the harm done, financial, or both. Pruszinski’s book introduces the tools and practices that are at the heart of being a historian, grounding this work in the betterment of the church and enriching the study of its history."

Thank you Rev. Dr. Bailey for the positive feedback on the work we are doing here in New Jersey!

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.

Reparations Commission Research Historian

Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey