Slavery in the British and French Caribbean abolished the slave trade but the decree did not come into effect until 1826. France re-abolished slavery in her colonies in 1848 with a general and unconditional emancipation. William Wilberforce's Slave Trade Act 1807 abolished the slave trade in the British Empire. It was not until the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 that the institution finally was abolished, but on a gradual basis. Since slave owners in the various colonies (not only the Caribbean) were losing their unpaid labourers, the government set aside £20 million for compensation but it did not offer the former slaves reparations. With the abolition of the
Westminster Abbey (British Columbia) abbot, was elected. The abbey currently has around 30 monks. Benedictine monks live by the motto of their order, "Ora et Labora", ("Pray and Work"). The roughly 30 monks at Westminster Abbey also follow this. In 1950, Benedictine sisters came to help the abbey, and continued there until they left in 1968. Since then, all kitchen, farm, and most other work at the abbey has been done by the monks themselves. The monks pray the Liturgy of the Hours, namely Lauds, Midday Prayer, Vespers and Vigils at four times different times throughout the day. These are usually sung publicly in