Category: Climate Change

Laudato Si’ Week: 22nd-29th May 2022

More prayers for Laudato Si’ Week

Laudato Si’ Week is being celebrated during 22nd – 29th May. It reminds us of our duty towards and celebration of creation. To learn more and to get involved, check out the links.
To let us know what is happening in your parish please email Colette Joyce at justiceandpeace@rcdow.org.uk

The Laudato Si’ Encyclical, which was published in 2015, is a letter to the world from Pope Francis. In it he calls for dialogue and action concerning the care of what he calls “our common home”, and he urges all of us to take our duty to the natural environment, to animals and to poor people seriously. Click here to read or download a copy

The Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM) was formed as a result of the Encyclical. Under the umbrella of the Encyclical, it aims to activate the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics to tackle the climate and environmental crises. To educate about and enable participation in this undertaking, LSM initiated an online Course. Click here to visit their website

The Laudato Si’ Animators Course was first opened in July 2020 to a world-wide audience of potential activists. The Course teaches how the Laudato Si’ (LS) Encyclical fits into Catholic Social Teaching, describes the causes and consequences of climate change and encourages a personal ecological conversion. Participants are encouraged to be environmentally active in their parishes and in the wider community. Click here for more details of the course

Laudato Si’ Animators are people who have completed the Course and then got together for mutual support, discussions, ideas and actions. We have a Network of around 90 Animators and green activists, covering the 22 Dioceses of England and Wales. Their aim? Simply to spread the message of the Encyclical throughout the Catholic Church, in an effort to educate about the environmental crisis and to inspire action which will help to combat the dire situation. https://www.facebook.com/LSIUK

The Laudato Si’ Action Platform has been established by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in response to the Encyclical. It is designed to run for 7 years, encompasses 7 Sectors and has 7 general goals. We will all fit into one or another of the Sectors. The 7 Goals are designed to guide our actions. Under each general goal heading, actions are suggested for us to consider which will reduce our environmental footprint. Visit the Laudato Si’ Action Platform

Events

Tuesday 24th May, 10am-12noon: Circular Tree Walk from Westminster Cathedral – Join Colette Joyce, the Westminster Justice and Peace Co-ordinator, for this walk exploring trees in the vicinity of Westminster Cathedral to mark the 7th Anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si’. All welcome. Free. Book with Eventbrite

Tuesday 24th May, 2.00-4.00pm: Laudato Si’ Study Session at Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street (behind Westminster Cathedral), London, SW1P 1QN – Join Colette Joyce, Westminster Justice and Peace Co-ordinator, for a study session on ‘Laudato- Si’ on the seventh anniversary of its publication. All welcome. Free. Book with Eventbrite

Southern Dioceses Environment Network – supportive monthly Monday lunchtime online meetings on the second Monday of the month for Catholics and our friends who are committed to the care of creation. More details and how to join

Earth Day – 22nd April – Invest in Our Planet

By Amy Smith, Westminster Justice and Peace Communications Volunteer

Today, 22nd April, is Earth Day – an annual event that shines a light on the serious environmental issues that our world is facing and what actions we can take as individuals and organisation to keep temperature rises below 1.5 C and promote a greener future.

It involves a wide range of events involving 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.

The official theme for 2022 is ‘Invest in Our Planet’.

Every Earth Day can drive a year of energy, enthusiasm and commitment to create a new plan of action for our planet.

Earth Day works in countries around the world to drive meaningful action for our planet across a range of issues. For more information on the campaigns and to find out what is happening in your area this Earth Day: https://earthday.org/earth-day-2022

Earth Day Video – “We can still get the job done…”

Join the Southern Dioceses Environment Network for monthly prayer, sharing and discussion on all matters concerning the Catholic response to care of creation.
Next meeting: Monday 9th May, 12.45-2.00pm.
Click here for full details

Bishop John Arnold among church leaders urging UK government to cut use of fossil fuels

Source: A Rocha / Independent Catholic News

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and more than 50 Anglican and Catholic Bishops have signed letter to the UK government calling for a windfall tax on fossil fuel companies to tackle the cost of living crisis and energy efficiency measures to reduce heating bills.

Ahead of the Government’s Spring Statement and energy security strategy, more than 200 UK church leaders have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling on them to use these opportunities to tackle the climate emergency and address the cost of living crisis.

The letter, signed by former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, says: “We call on you to use the Spring Statement to provide financial and fiscal support for renewable energy and energy efficiency, especially solar and wind energy and the retrofitting of homes and other buildings across the UK. These measures would reduce heating bills, decrease carbon emissions and increase our energy security.”

Other signatories to the letter include the lead environment bishops for the Church of England, Rt Rev Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich, the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Rt Revd John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, and the Catholic Church in Scotland, Most Revd William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow.

Church leaders from across the country have signed the letter including leaders of the Methodist Church, Scottish Episcopal Church, Church in Wales, United Reformed Church, Baptist Union, Quakers and Jesuits in Britain, among others.

They urge the Government to implement a windfall tax on fossil fuel companies to address the cost of living.

They write: “The Spring Statement must include no support for new oil and gas developments. The International Energy Agency has stated that there can be no new fossil fuel developments if we are to limit global heating to 1.5°C. New oil and gas production will not deliver lower energy bills for families facing fuel poverty and will have no impact on energy supply for years.

“We urge you to increase support for vulnerable households across the UK facing a cost of living crisis as a result of increasing food and energy prices, through measures including a windfall tax on oil and gas companies.”

They add that many of their churches have set a 2030 target for reducing their emissions to net zero:

“Many of our Churches have set 2030 net zero targets and are taking action to decarbonise our buildings, including through the installation of solar panels, heat pumps and other energy efficiency measures. More than 2,000 churches across the UK participated in Climate Sunday ahead of COP26 and called on the UK Government to unleash a clean energy revolution and limit global heating to 1.5°C.”

A number of charities support the statement:

Patrick Watt, Interim CEO of Christian Aid, said: “The war in Ukraine has been a stark reminder that a world which relies on oil and gas is a world that is economically and politically combustible, as well as being environmentally disastrous. This is the moment we need to fundamentally rethink our energy system, and break the power of petro-autocrats for good by switching to clean, affordable, home grown renewables as fast as we can.

“If the UK is to be taken seriously as a global leader on climate change it needs to take this opportunity to accelerate the roll out of renewables as well as widespread energy efficiency measures which have been overdue for many years.

“A rush for fracking or more North Sea oil would undermine efforts to tackle climate change and endanger some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world who are dealing with the impacts of the climate crisis and look to the UK to lead the way in decarbonisation, not pursuing more polluting fossil fuels.”

Christine Allen, Director of CAFOD, said: “This statement next week comes at a crucial time for the world’s energy industry. It’s never been more clear, nor more urgent, that we need a just transition to a low carbon economy. For the world’s poor, access to energy is a matter of survival.

“For humanity to be sustainable, all of our energy must come from renewable sources if we are to have any chance of protecting our common home for all of our sakes. The time to finally move away from fossil fuels is now, we hope the government with all its power and resources will lead by example to make this ground-breaking transition a reality.”

Revd Dr Darrell Hannah, Chair of Operation Noah and Rector of All Saints, Ascot , one of the signatories of the letter, said: “The Prime Minister and Chancellor must act now to insulate millions of British homes, scale up renewable energy, give more support to struggling households and immediately stop all new oil and gas developments, as scientists say we must to avoid catastrophic climate impacts.

“It would be completely irresponsible for the UK Government to enable new fossil fuel projects in the North Sea only four months after the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow. The time is now for bold measures including a windfall tax on oil and gas companies, who are reaping billions of pounds in profits while families around the UK, including many of our parishioners, are struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table.”

Andy Atkins, Co-Chair of Churches’ Environmental Issues Network, and CEO of A Rocha UK, said: “Thousands of churches are sending aid to Ukraine, continuing to deepen their own action on climate change and supporting the poor and vulnerable locally, through foodbanks and other means. Next week’s statement is a crucial opportunity for the government, with its far greater resources, to wholeheartedly embrace a rapid and fair transition to a low carbon economy.”

Dr Ruth Valerio, Director of Advocacy and Influencing at Tearfund, said: “The Ukraine conflict has exposed the fragility of our energy system if it relies on fossil fuels. Let’s not go back to polluting oil and gas when renewable solutions are cheaper, cleaner and more secure. Our response to the energy security crisis can’t add fuel to the climate crisis.”

See the full text of the church leaders’ open letter and full list of signatories here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZVkcT5VKz45P3tzdv2mKwznhyKRduubUqrx5_pcNX9U/edit

Bishop John Arnold Speaks to the Southern Dioceses Environment Network https://westminsterjusticeandpeace.org/2022/02/14/bishop-john-arnold-speaks-to-the-southern-dioceses-environment-network-14th-february-2022-showthelove/

Blog on Climate Change by Amy Smith

Amy Smith is a Communications Volunteer for Westminster Justice and Peace

As Christians we know that the earth is not ours to do with as we wish, regardless of the consequences, but is gifted to us by God for us to live and share with the rest of His creation which He values equally. If God is love then all of His creation is worthy of love and protection. God trusts us and believes in our capacity to be responsible stewards of the earth; hopefully we can see this role as an honour and privilege. In Mark (12:31) we are instructed to ‘love thy neighbour as thyself’; our actions towards our planet have a direct impact on our brothers and sisters, especially those in poorer countries who will likely suffer the most.
 
The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us how we are all interconnected despite our circumstances and how our actions can make a real difference to the lives of those in need. Any brother or sister of God’s should be our responsibility to help. Often, we might feel we would like to help but it isn’t really up to us or we can’t make much impact by ourselves, such as the Levite who felt pity and would like to help if only it cost him no trouble. The poor man hasn’t done anything to deserve his predicament just as poorer communities have done little to contribute to the global warming crisis but are suffering the worst consequences. They have fewer resources to mitigate the effects of climate change and are more vulnerable to extreme weather. This only exacerbates poverty and deepens inequality. It seems only right that rich countries whose actions are the root cause of climate change must bear the responsibility for resolving the problem.
 
In Laudato Si’, the encyclical published in 2015, the Pope reiterates the Bible’s message that there should be a relationship of mutual responsibility between humans and nature, in order to protect it for future generations. This act of care for our ‘Common Home’ is the responsibility of ‘every living person on this planet.’ He instructs us to take steps in our daily life to change the attitude of wastefulness and greed brought on by the consumerist culture we live in which is detrimental to our relationship with each other, the earth, and God. Already the Earth’s temperature has increased by 0.8°C over the last 30 years mainly due to human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels. A target of keeping temperature rises below 1.5 degrees has been given as a limit which is essential to preventing the most detrimental effects to our planet such as sea level rises, but even this is looking unlikely unless more actions can be agreed upon by world leaders.
 
What can we do as individuals, as Christians to play our part in this crisis? Perhaps we can think of ways we can change our lifestyle, something that is not always easy when we are used to living a certain way. Maybe there are small steps we can take before progressing further such as having a meat free day, reducing the use of our phone, trying to travel green such as cycling/walking more and using a renewable energy provider in our homes. Often we can feel discouraged when our efforts seem insignificant, but if everyone plays their part and supports each other there is potential for real change. Hopefully we can call on God in prayer during this season of Lent to help us contemplate our relationship with Him, each other and our world.
 
I have been privileged to attend the Southern Dioceses Environment Network meetings which happen once a month to share the initiatives that are taking part in each parish to tackle climate change.

Participants include CAFOD and diocesan staff and volunteers, Laudato Si’ animators, clergy, parishioners, religious and activists. All are welcome. The next meeting will be held on Monday 14th March, 12.45-2.00pm.  

Southern Dioceses Environment Network

To register for the Zoom meeting:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/255432404197

Fossil fuel vigil and fast outside Parliament, 6-20 March 2022

Columban Sister Kate Midgley and Christian Climate Action activist Melanie Nazareth are among these involved with a 24-hour prayer and fasting Vigil outside the Westminster Parliament, which started on Sunday. Running from 6-20 March, the action is being organised by a new group called ‘Beyond Fossil Fuels Together’.

The group aims to pressure the UK government to end dependence on coal, oil and gas. It says: “Our Earth is in peril and millions are already suffering as a result of the climate crisis. As our world heats up, the UK government is pouring £10 billion a year into the fossil fuel industry.

We need to move beyond our addiction to fossil fuels now with an immediate end to new oil exploration and licences, and to fossil fuel subsidies. Will you come together with us and speak up on behalf of our planet?”

Beyond Fossil Fuels Together is hoping to bring different groups and individuals together to vigil and fast alongside each other. It says: “Despite our philosophical, religious, political or ideological differences, we all live together on this ailing planet, and we all have children or care about young people who will suffer through the worst of the climate emergency. We may also have links with people in the Global South where communities are already suffering terribly as a result of the West’s excesses.”

The UK’s Laudato Si Movement animators are supporting this Vigil and anyone can sign up to the Vigil and/or Fast at: https://beyondfossilfuelstogether.info

Or you can just turn up.

Video – Leaving Something on the Table: A conversation with Dr David Ko and Richard Busellato, 28 Feb 2022

The Southern Dioceses Environment Network were pleased to welcome Dr David Ko and Richard Busellato to our first online evening event, discussing their recently published book, ‘The Unsustainable Truth’, how investing for the future is destroying the planet.

Arising from over thirty years’ personal experience of the investment industry, Richard and David’s presentation forms a powerful contribution to the debate surrounding the ethics of investment and sustainability.

They demonstrate how, by seeking comfort and security, we end up with an economic system that exhausts our resources. Instead they propose a model of ‘Transformational Ownership’ to safely steward harmful resources to their end of life.

Their book has featured in The Tablet (22 January 2022) with a review by Sr Margaret Atkins and a feature article by Richard and David:

https://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/2/21349/treasure-in-heaven

https://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/2/21350/the-sustainable-truth

The event was hosted by Westminster Justice and Peace on behalf of the Southern Dioceses Environment Network, which meets monthly on Monday lunchtimes on the second Monday of the month for prayer, input, sharing and discussion, with occasional evening events on specialist topics.

The next meeting is:

Monday, 14th March 2022, 12.45-2.00pm: Nourishment for Lent

Book with Eventbrite

Southern Dioceses Environment Network

Christian Climate Action Campaigners Not Guilty of Obstruction

Fr Martin Newell, and Rev Sue Parfitt outside Inner London Crown Court after the verdict
Fr Martin Newell CP and Rev Sue Parfitt outside Inner London Crown Court after the verdict

Source: Independent Catholic News

Well-known Catholic activist Fr Martin Newell, a Passionist Priest currently based in the Diocese of Westminster, was among a group of three people cleared in a court case on 15th January 2022.

Three Christians, including an Anglican Priest and a Catholic Priest, who stopped a DLR train at Shadwell station in London in 2019 in protest at inaction on the climate emergency, were lawfully exercising their right to peaceful protest, a jury has found.

Rev Sue Parfitt, 79, Fr Martin Newell, 54, and Phil Kingston, 85, all members of Christian Climate Action, were found not guilty of obstructing trains or carriages on the railway under the malicious damages act. Sue and Martin stood on top of the train and Phil glued himself to the outside of it then prayed with other members of Christian Climate Action. They told the jury at Inner Court London that they took the action in desperation after trying everything else they could think of to draw attention to the climate emergency.

Speaking outside court after the verdict, Fr Martin Newell said that while he is delighted with the verdict he is still willing to take action that risks a prison sentence, adding: “I’m very grateful to the jury for acting on their conscience and hearing the issues that we wanted to raise in the original action two-and-a-half years ago. The climate emergency is the biggest issue facing the human race in our time and nothing is more important than dealing with that. Despite the words that many governments have said about it being urgent, they’re just not doing it.”

Zoë Blackler from Extinction Rebellion. said: “When a jury hears the truth about the escalating climate crisis, with the depth and seriousness they won’t get from the government or the media, they understand the urgent need to act. The real criminals here aren’t three committed Christians risking their liberty to sound the alarm on a threat of existential proportion, but a government failing to do what’s necessary to safeguard the future of the human race.”

All three defendants told the jury they were compelled by their faith to take action to protect God’s creation and prevent run-away climate change. Kingston also said he was taking action “for the future of my grandchildren and for the future of yours.”

During the trial the jury was presented with a set of facts, agreed on by both the defence and the prosecution, about the escalating climate crisis. These agreed facts included that: “Climate change is a clear and imminent threat to human civilisation. It has become increasingly widely recognised that immediate substantial action needs to be taken in order to stabilise the climate at a temperature in which we can avoid massive and widespread loss of life”.

This trial follows the acquittal by a jury in December of six people, also all members of Christian Climate and known as the DLR ‘Canaries’, who were charged with the same offence during an action at Canary Wharf station in April 2019.

In that case, as in this one, the jury was directed by the judge to decide whether a conviction was “necessary in a democratic society” or whether it would be a disproportionate interference in the defendants’ human rights. The ‘Canaries’ jury returned a unanimous Not Guilty verdict in less than an hour.

The issue of proportionality – arising from the Supreme Court’s recent Ziegler ruling – was also one of the defences used by the ‘Colston 4’ – who toppled a statue of a former slave trader – in their trial which concluded last week. The four were acquitted by a jury in Bristol after removing a public statue of the slave trader Edward Colston.

LINKS

Christian Climate Action – https://christianclimateaction.org/

A blog published at the time of the action: https://christianclimateaction.org/2019/10/17/a-catholic-and-anglican-priest-climb-on-top-of-train-destined-for-the-city/

Launch of the Southern Dioceses Environment Network – Monday 10th January 2022, 12.45pm

Everyone with a heart for the environment is welcome to join us for the first online meeting of a new network of Catholics in the South of England committed to the care of our common home.

Throughout 2021 a group of Catholics from London and the South-East met on Zoom every Monday lunchtime for prayer, sharing, discussion and mutual support on the Care of Creation in preparation for COP26 which took place in Glasgow, 1-12 November.

We are now moving into a new phase with a new name for 2022.

The Southern Dioceses Environment Network plans to meet monthly online on the second Monday of the month and also organise in-person events when possible during the year.

We will also be liaising with the Northern Dioceses Environment Group and other ecumenical, interfaith and civic groups as we all work together to animate action to tackle the climate crisis and address other environmental concerns in the run-up to COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt, 7-18 November 2022 and beyond.

Participants to date include CAFOD staff and volunteers, Justice and Peace, Caritas, clergy, religious, parishioners, Laudato Si’ Animators, Journey to 2030, Christian Climate Action (XR), environmental charities, activists and interested individuals, young and old. You are most welcome to join us or attend as a one-off to find out more.

Register in advance with Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/220575847297

Young Adult Report – COP26 – A Missed Opportunity

Some of the CAFOD youth delegation outside the SEC. Caitlin is front row, third from left.

Source: Caritas Westminster

From 5-7th November 2021 Caitlin Boyle from the Diocese of Westminster joined CAFOD as part their COP26 youth delegation in marching, campaigning and praying for climate action and justice in Glasgow. Over 30 young adults were part of CAFOD’s COP26 youth delegation who travelled up to Glasgow to apply pressure on world leaders attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be bold and ambitious in their attempts to tackle the climate crisis. 

Caitlin also works as the Information Officer for Caritas Westminster and here gives her report on the experience of campaigning for climate justice.

The CAFOD delegation were able to visit the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), where the COP26 talks and negotiations were taking place, to hear from different scientists, activist groups and indigenous people from all around the world about the effects the climate crisis is having globally and what measures need to be in place to help mitigate them. On Saturday 6th November, despite inclement weather, the CAFOD delegation joined other faith groups (including SCIAF, Jesuit Missions, Islamic Relief, Tearfund and Christian Aid), local organisations and climate activists in marching through the centre of Glasgow, as part of the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice, with around 100,000 people attending in Glasgow alone!

cop26
Photo credit: Thom Flint

Whilst in Glasgow, Caitlin and the CAFOD youth delegation were campaigning for global leaders to commit to plans to limit global temperature rises to no more than 1.5 degrees; deliver the money promised to low-income countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change; and to consign fossil fuels to history. 

Speaking about why she went to Glasgow, Caitlin says: 

‘Climate change is affecting us all, no matter where we are in the world, though it is most adversely affecting people in poorer countries, costing people their livelihoods, their homes, and even their lives, despite these countries contributing least to the crisis. Even here in the UK, however, where the effects will be much less severe, floods and heatwaves are likely to disproportionately affect more deprived communities.


‘The Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated and compounded social, economic, and environmental inequalities, with poorer communities again more susceptible to their effects – something I have seen through my work at Caritas Westminster. The pandemic has put further strain on communities ill-equipped to deal with these crises.


‘As the host of COP26, the UK government had a really crucial role in setting the tone for how the world emerges from the pandemic, ensuring that a post-Covid world is one which is equitable – it should not be another missed opportunity.’

The two-week climate conference ended this past weekend (Saturday 13th November). Despite progress in agreeing to phase out fossil fuel usage and investment as part of the Glasgow Climate Pact – the first COP agreement which specifically talks about fossil fuel divestment – world leaders failed to act with the courage and immediacy needed to effectively support those on the front line of the climate crisis. They delayed action on limiting temperature increases, and did not deliver the climate finance that is urgently needed.

Speaking about the decisions made at COP26, Caitlin says:

‘It is disappointing that once again, world leaders failed to place those who are most adversely affected by the climate crisis at the heart of their discussions. As Catholics, it is our duty to work for the common good, and speak out for the poor, the marginalised and the voiceless, and so it is essential that we engage with and campaign on issues relating to social and climate justice. We are called to be stewards of God’s creation, and to protect it. 

‘Despite government inaction at this COP, we as young Catholics must continue to campaign for our common home; the eyes of the world now need to be firmly focused on those who are actually feeling the effects of the climate crisis first hand.

‘Pope Francis said at the start of COP26 that, “The political decision-makers who will meet at COP26 in Glasgow are urgently summoned to provide effective responses to the present ecological crisis, and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations.” Whilst the decision makers may not have provided the effective responses needed this time, I can certainly draw hope from the amazing campaigners I got to work with as part of the CAFOD delegation, and their commitment and enthusiasm has emboldened and mobilised me to continue to speak out about climate injustice!’ 

Caritas Westminster is working with the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission to encourage local action against climate change, and supporting Westminster Diocese’s plans for decarbonisation.

Catholics at COP26

Catch up with the webinar held on Wednesday 10th November 2021 chaired by Bishop John Arnold, Lead Bishop for the Environment for the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales.

The event was organised by the international Laudato Si’ Movement and the Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS) project to engage with climate science, explore insights from theology, and discuss the Church’s role in communication and action around the climate crisis.

The webinar featured contributions from Dr Lorna Gold (Board Chair of the Laudato Si’ Movement), Dr Carmody Grey (Assistant Professor of Catholic Theology at Durham University), Dr Franziska Kohlt (Researcher in Science Communication, University of York & ECLAS), Lydia Machaka (Climate Justice and Energy Policy Officer, CIDSE), and Fr Eduardo Augusto O’Carm, (Climate Scientist).

“Pope Francis has asked us to take decisive, urgent action to transform this crisis into an opportunity. As Catholics, we have a role to play as well, each and every one of us.”

Bishop John Arnold