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.”
Westminster Justice & Peace were among 25,000 participants at the Global Day of Action for the Climate rally in London, 6th November 2021
Here are details of some events coming up in the next few weeks which will help us to learn and reflect more about the outcomes of the UN Climate Conference, COP26, that is currently nearing completion in Glasgow. The real work is just beginning!
13 November, 11am-1.30pm:National Justice and Peace Network Online Open Networking Day – Reflection and Response to COP26. On Zoom. Speakers Chris Myers (Climate Pilgrim) & Ellen Teague (Columbans) Everyone is welcome to attend Justice & Peace national networking meetings as an individual. You do not have to represent any particular group or diocese. Just book and come along! https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/njpn-meetings/
14 November – Launch of the Laudato Si’ Platform The platform will officially launched on the World Day of the Poor. https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/
17 November, 7-8pm: CAFOD COP26 Round up – What Did COP26 Achieve?’ With Neil Thorns and Robin Mace-Snaith. Hear a detailed report of the outcomes from the COP26 in Glasgow. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and listen to the latest discussions at the global united Nations summit about climate change and how countries are planning to tackle it. https://www.bigmarker.com/cafod/COP26-Round-up
20 November, 11am – 3.30pm (Arrivals from 10.30am) – RC Diocese of Southwark Justice and Peace Commission Autumn Assembly: ‘COP26: What next?’ Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Brixton Hill, London, SW2 5BJ. What can we do that we aren’t doing now in response to care for the earth, care for the poor, care for a fairer economy? Entrance free. Everyone welcome. Please bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. Email jpiccontact@rcaos.org.uk to reserve your place.
As world leaders, journalists, activists and others arrive in Glasgow for COP26, we pray for the events over the next 2 weeks. We know that these conversations are crucial and urgent, and we ask for your visible presence in guiding our leaders to wise and fair decisions. We ask for your peace for all who are feeling expectant and emotional about these decisions. Whether they’ve invested lots of time in campaigning, or their communities are on the frontline of climate change. We thank you Lord that we can trust in you when things feel overwhelming.
We look at the state of the world and we lament.
We look at your son Jesus and we have hope for eternity.
We look at your call for us to care for this Earth and our neighbours, and we are stirred into action.
Thank you Lord that in your strength, we can hope for change.
In a special broadcast for BBC Radio 4 today, Pope Francis has urged world leaders to respond with vision and radical decisions to address the crises of climate change, the pandemic and economic difficulties when they meet at COP26 in Glasgow
Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Little Amal – Picture by Jane Lowe
On Monday 25th October 2021 we welcomed a very unusual visitor to Westminster Cathedral. Little Amal is a 3.5m puppet of a refugee girl who has walked from the border of Turkey / Syria and is heading to Manchester, a journey of 8000km, in search of her mother. Amal’s journey is intended to raise awareness of the many people who undertake such migrant journeys across Europe, especially unaccompanied children. Each one has a personal story of loss, hardship and the search for safety. Amal has already been welcomed to Rome by Pope Francis in September and to St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Saturday 23rd October, as well as many other cultural and religious landmarks in Europe and the UK.
A choir from the Zimbabwean Chaplaincy were waiting on the steps with Cardinal Vincent Nichols to welcome Amal, while musicians and singers from the Congolese Chaplaincy led her into the Cathedral. Cardinal Vincent climbed into the pulpit where he greeted Amal with the words, ‘Welcome to our heart, our home…’
After her welcome from the Cardinal, Amal was invited to walk around the front of the Cathedral visiting the Chapel of St Paul, the Lady Chapel and the Sanctuary as prayers were said at each of these sacred spaces.
First Station – The Chapel of St Paul
Reader: Amal, first we would like to show you the Chapel dedicated to Saint Paul. Like you, Saint Paul was on a journey. His journey was from Jerusalem to Damascus. At the beginning of his journey Saint Paul was persecuting the followers of Jesus, but on that journey Saint Paul also heard the call of Jesus, which changed the course of his entire life. Saint Paul encountered dangers and stresses of many different kinds, but he didn’t give up because he was strengthened by his love of God and God’s love for him, and he was convinced that what he was doing was the right thing to do.
Prayer: We pray for all those who have fled from their homeland to avoid persecution, that they will meet with kindness and understanding on their way to a safer life. We pray, too, for ourselves, that we may let our actions towards others reflect Christ’s love for all people.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us
Whatsoever you do to the least of my sisters, that you do unto me. Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.
Second Station – The Lady Chapel
Reader: Amal, we know that the walk you are on will lead you to your Mother. And, so, we would like to show you this Chapel which is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Having said ‘yes’ to God’s call, Mary, also embarked on a series of journeys, which are shown in the mosaics around the top of this beautiful Chapel; first there was Mary’s visit to her cousin, Elizabeth, then to Bethlehem and later to Egypt, to escape persecution. Her life, like ours, had moments of great joy as well as great sorrow. She had to follow her son’s journey – Jesus’ journey – to the Cross, and watch Him die, the hardest thing for a parent to bear. But Mary also followed Jesus to Heaven, where she now prays for all of us.
Prayer: Let us pray for all mothers, fathers and those who parent us. Let us thank God for the sacrifices they make and the unconditional love they give their children.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us
And we pray to Mary, who is also our Mother, to intercede for us all as we say together……..
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Whatsoever you do to the least of my sisters, that you do unto me. Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.
Third Station – The Sanctuary
Reader: Amal, Jesus’ journey through life did not end with His death on the Cross; through his Resurrection, He is still with us, present in the Eucharist, which is celebrated daily on this altar. Jesus in the Eucharist is the food for our journey through life, sustaining us when times are difficult and when our path is hard to follow and accept, which guides us to follow His ways of justice and peace.
Prayer: Let us pray that we can spread hope to those who are suffering persecution; may our minds and hearts be filled with Christ’s love and may we respond with generosity to those who reach out to us in need.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us
Cardinal Vincent led the congregation in praying the ‘Our Father’, followed by a reading from St Matthew’s Gospel:
‘People brought little children to Jesus for him to lay his hands on them and say a prayer. The disciples turned them away, but Jesus said. ‘Let the little ones alone, and do not stop them coming to me, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs’. Then he laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing’.
Matthew 19: 13 -15
Amal embraces reader Megan Pereira from St Michael & St Martin parish in Hounslow.
Amal greets singers and readers on the sanctuary. The Sri Lankan, Congolese, Syro-Malabar and Zimbabwean Chaplaincies are all represented.
At the end of the service Amal received a birthday card from students at St James Catholic High School in Barnet and a gift of a ceramic angel made by students at Caritas St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Hendon.
It is hoped that the occasion will bear fruit in the on-going work of the Diocese of Westminster which will aid the cause of refugees and migrants.
View the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales Flickr account for all pictures from the day:
23 October, 11am-5pm – The Tablet Autumn Festival, On the Road to COP26. £23.00. Speakers include Ellen Teague, Lorna Gold, Austen Ivereigh, Andy Atkins, Christine Allen and Gordon Brown. Bookings
23 October – Pre-COP Vigil, Anglican Southwark Cathedral, 2.00-3.45pm. You are encouraged to make a pilgrimage on foot, by bike, by public transport, however you wish, from your place of worship – perhaps in a group – to Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, SE1 9DA, arriving between 2 – 3pm. Bring a Letter for Creation to pass on to the faith leaders involved in COP. There will be interactive prayer stations from 2pm. At 3.20 we will come together for a time of prayer and reflection with singer Samantha Lindo and St Leonard’s Eco Church Community, ending with a blessing by the Bishop of Kingston. Register to attend in person: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/prayer-vigil-for-cop26-climate-conference-tickets-152732774841 or Option to watch on livestream here
30 October, 2.30pm – Gathering of the different climate pilgrimages and walking through the Glasgow city: YCCN Relay, Camino to COP and international groups from Germany and Sweden. Meet at McLennan Arch, Glasgow Green. In person.
1-12 November UN Climate Conference COP 26 in GlasgowUK COP26
1 November – 6pm(after 5.30pm Mass). Candle-lit Procession from Westminster Cathedral to Farm Street Church to pray for success of COP26. Organised by London Jesuit Centre, Jesuit Missions and Westminster Justice & Peace. Bring a candle you can carry safely. Some led lights will be provided. Refreshments at Farm Street Church on arrival. Sign up: https://londonjesuitcentre.org/cop-26-candle-lit-procession
3-6 November – Jesuit Missions Pilgrimage Edinburgh to Glasgow. From Sacred Heart Church, Edinburgh, to SEC Centre, Glasgow. For 18-35s. Pilgrimage Chaplain – Fr Nick King SJ https://jesuitmissions.org.uk/cop-26-pilgrimage/
6 November 11am – London Rally for Climate Action. Meet at St Mary Moorfields Church, 4-5 Eldon Street, London EC2M 7LS, where we will gather with CAFOD supporters before we join the main march outside the Bank of England. Wear a CAFOD T-shirt or something green! Bring a banner. Register to receive updates: https://cafod.org.uk/News/Events/COP26-Day-of-Action-2021
20 November – RC Diocese of Southwark Justice and Peace Commission Autumn Assembly: ‘COP26: What next?’ Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Brixton Hill, London, SW2 5BJ. What can we do that we aren’t doing now in response to care for the earth, care for the poor, care for a fairer economy? Entrance free. Everyone welcome. Please bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. Email jpiccontact@rcaos.org.uk to reserve your place.
Representatives from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu faiths handed in a statement for the Prime Minister at No 10 Downing Street on Monday morning, saying he was in a “unique position to lead the world in tackling the climate crisis” with the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow less than two weeks away.
The statement highlighted calls from more than 75,000 people across faith communities urging Boris Johnson to show leadership by taking action to tackle the climate emergency in a way that is fair and just for those on the frontlines of the crisis. The statement will specifically call on the Prime Minister to:
Keep the 1.5C warming limit agreement alive.
Ensure rich countries meet commitments to meet and exceed $100bn in climate finance each year to countries hardest hit by the crisis.
End support for fossil fuels everywhere.
Participants included Rt Rev Olivia Graham (Anglican Bishop of Reading), Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg (Senior Rabbi, Masorti Judaism), Imam Emad Choudhury (Imam at Bahu Trust), Avnish Thakrar (National Coordinator, Hindu Climate Action) and Olivia Fuchs (Eco Dharma Network).
The event was organised by CAFOD, Christian Aid, World Vision, SCIAF, Tearfund, and the Faiths 4 Climate Justice network.
On Monday 18th October 10.00 BST representatives from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu groups will hand in a statement for the Prime Minister at No.10 Downing Street telling the Prime Minister he has a “unique position to lead the world in tackling the climate crisis” with the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow less than two weeks away.
The statement will specifically call on the Prime Minister to: ● Keep 1.5C warming limit agreement alive ● Ensure rich countries meet commitments to meet and exceed $100bn in climate finance each year to countries hardest hit by the crisis ● End further support for fossil fuels everywhere
The five faith leaders who will take part in the hand in are: ● Rt Rev Olivia Graham – Bishop of Reading ● Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg – Senior Rabbi, Masorti Judaism ● Imam Emad Choudhury – Imam at Bahu Trust ● Avnish Thakrar – National Coordinator, Hindu Climate Action ● Olivia Fuchs – Eco Dharma Network.
The moment is being organised by the aid agencies CAFOD, Christian Aid, World Vision, SCIAF, Tearfund, and the Faith for the Climate network.
Dr Shanon Shah, Director of Faith for the Climate said:
“We are incredibly proud of the people of diverse religions in the UK and around the world who have come together with a single message to the leaders who will represent us at COP26: destroying the planet is against our religions. We’ve demonstrated that for people of faith, prayers, reflections and meditations are necessary but not enough. We need urgent and decisive action to address this climate crisis which most severely affects the people who have done the least to cause it.”
Liam Finn, Campaigns Manager at CAFOD, said:
“We’d like to thank the thousands of Catholics and people from across faith communities who’ve sent an unequivocal message to Boris Johnson that he has to show leadership at the COP. The fight to tackle the climate emergency won’t end in Glasgow, but the COP is a vital moment for us to get on track to ‘keep 1.5 alive’ and prevent our sisters and brothers in vulnerable communities facing even more catastrophic consequences for a crisis they’ve done least to cause.
“That’s why the Prime Minister has to make sure the people living in communities on the frontlines of the crisis are put at the heart of COP26, rather than being treated as an afterthought by decision-makers, as Pope Francis warns is too often the case.”
Little Amal, a 3.5m puppet of a refugee girl, is walking from the border of Turkey / Syria to Manchester, 8000km, in search of her mother. On her journey she will visit Westminster Cathedral on Monday 25th October at 2.00pm where she will be welcomed on the steps by Cardinal Vincent and invited to join the congregation gathered inside.
Amal has already visited Pope Francis in Rome and will be welcomed to St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on Saturday 23rd October, among a number of other cultural and religious landmarks in the UK who are preparing to host her.
You are invited to join Cardinal Vincent for this Welcome Liturgy from the Catholic community and significant event showing solidarity with those who make difficult and dangerous journeys to reach safety and sanctuary in this country.
We hope people of all nationalities from around the Diocese will be there to welcome Amal. It is during half term week, which provides an opportunity for families to come together.
Amal is celebrating her 10th birthday the day beforehand, on 24th October, so we will also be wishing her a happy birthday as part of the service.
Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission 
