A News Release from the Communications Office of The Diocese of Virginia
For release: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Triangle of Hope Celebrates an Anniversary in Liverpool Missioner for World Mission for The Diocese of Virginia Buck Blanchard will make a trip to Liverpool, England to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolishment of the slave trade in Britain on Saturday, March 24. The Wilberforce Act, which is commemorated in the newly released film Amazing Grace, effectively abolished the slave trade in the British Empire in 1807. Mr. Blanchard’s visit continues a relationship established between The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, The Episcopal Diocese of Liverpool and West Africa called the Triangle of Hope, which Bishop Peter Lee described in his 2007 diocesan pastoral address as “a symbolic and positive affirmation of the faith we have in common that overcomes some of the oppressive traditions that we have inherited.” Bishop Lee explained, “Hundreds of years ago, merchant ships from Liverpool brought manufactured goods to West Africa, traded them for slaves, brought the slaves to Virginia, among another new world sites, and then brought cotton and tobacco back to Liverpool. Our Triangle of Hope will be a sign of our rejection of the heritage of racism and of oppression and a sign of our affirmation of the dignity of every human being made in the image of God.” Mr. Blanchard will participate in a worship service in Liverpool to commemorate this special anniversary and to strengthen the relationships of the Triangle of Hope. “We hope to continue to bring awareness to the historical role played by all three parts of the triangle in the slave trade and how we should continue to use that experience as a way to promote a better understanding of our differences today,” said Mr. Blanchard. This will be Mr. Blanchard’s second trip to Liverpool as part of the Triangle of Hope. He and Bishop Suffragan David Jones made a trip in November, 2006 to share ideas and start discussions.
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