Catholic Church, Barclays Bank: Kwesi Pratt shares how institutions were built with the blood of Africans
Kwesi Pratt Jnr stated on March 24, 2026, that "both Barclays Bank and the Catholic Church were built on the exploitation of Africans during the transatlantic slave trade." He said that the Barclays brothers were involved in slave trading, and the proceeds from that trade were used to establish the bank. He also said that the Catholic Church derived part of its wealth from its involvement in activities linked to the slave trade.
Kwesi Pratt Jnr said that the justification for slavery and colonialism was provided in the papal bull of 1452, signed by the Pope, authorising King Alfonso of Portugal to go around the world 'civilising' people. He argued that Africans are entitled to part of the wealth of institutions like Barclays Bank and the Catholic Church.
Kwesi Pratt Jnr stated that "Barclays Bank was established by the Barclays brothers, who were slave traders" and that "the money that established Barclays Bank came from the slave trade." He added, "Just imagine that 12.6 million Africans ended up on plantations as beasts of burden and worked for hundreds of years without pay."
Quick Summary
Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has made claims regarding the historical foundations of Barclays Bank-now Absa-and the Catholic Church. He suggests a connection between these institutions and the exploitation of Africans-raising questions about wealth and historical accountability.
Summary - read the full story for complete context.
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