Category: Environment

Our Lady of Fatima Parish, West London, win the LiveSimply Award

Hilda McCafferty, Colette Joyce and Fr Richard Nesbitt at the parish of Our Lady of Fatima

By Ellen Teague. Source: Independent Catholic News

Love in Action – Live to Love’ are displayed in large letters on an arch greeting people entering the parish of Our Lady of Fatima in London’s White City. They were immediately welcoming to myself and to Colette Joyce, Co-ordinator of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, as we visited the parish to assess it for the LiveSimply Award on 17 November. The award is given to Catholic parishes and schools in England and Wales which commit to live more simply and sustainably and to act in solidarity with the world’s poor.

We soon realised that we were in a beacon parish, with multiple initiatives for social justice and care of God’s creation. The parish has now become the seventh parish in Westminster Diocese and one of more than 70 parishes in England and Wales to achieve the award.

So much impressed us as we were shown around by parish priest Fr Richard Nesbitt – who is a trained Laudato Si’ animator – and parishioner Hilda McCafferty, who coordinates justice, peace and ecology work. The space around the church, once fairly bare, has been transformed into a beautiful green oasis which is prized in a built-up area with blocks of five-storey flats surrounding. The garden has been developed, “to increase biodiversity supporting a greater variety of wildlife and an environment where parishioners of all ages can enjoy nature and get more involved in ‘hands-on’ gardening.” Evergreen laurels are supplemented with flowering plants which are friendly to pollinators. In fact, several small insects landed on my glasses as we toured. A water feature and composting bin were nearby. Benches made from recycled plastic welcome parishioners to sit in the parish grounds, where one side has a Grotto and on the other a statue of St Francis with birds. Even on a soggy Autumn day the garden was inviting. We saw photos of a pet blessing in the local park of seven dogs and a cat.

Inside the church doors was a display of the parish LiveSimply project, including posters of a ‘Care of Creation Quiz Night’, a ‘Green Living Fair’, a parish viewing of ‘The Letter’, and ‘We are proud to be a Fairtrade Parish.’ The parish commitment of prohibiting disposable plastic was highlighted. Indeed, the parish has banned the use of throwaway crockery and cutlery in its parish hall and insists on the use of eco-detergents. Battery recycling was available by an entrance. Fair Trade products were on prominent display in the repository, alongside Archbishop Romero crosses produced in El Salvador. This demonstrated that while the parish maintains support for communities in the global south – with volunteering, fundraising and awareness raising for CAFOD, Mary’s Meals and linked parishes in Tanzania and Nigeria – the LiveSimply journey has led it to a commitment to the local community in White City. There are good links with Caritas Westminster and the Catholic Children’s Society.

There is a weekly sale of second-hand clothes – stored in the parish garage – and an annual ethical fashion show is very popular with the young people of the parish, especially Confirmation Candidates who are involved in its organisation. Walking, cycling and car sharing are promoted. In fact, the parish organises free cycling, maintenance and safety awareness classes for people of all ages, as part of an initiative to encourage parishioners to reflect on their transport choices. The Caritas ‘Love in Action’ programme gives parishioners a deeper understanding of the core principles of Catholic Social Teaching, which guides work in the parish. There are regular ‘Live Simply Challenges’ in the parish newsletter and online to encourage consuming less and living more simply and sustainably, such as ‘less wasteful Christmases’ and aspiring “not to have more but to be more.”

Parishioners get involved in supporting on-line and local campaigns on environmental, trade justice and poverty issues. This time last year – during the UN’s COP26 on Climate in Glasgow – a ‘Parliament in the Parish’ was organised involving local MP Andy Slaughter. In April 2022 parishioners joined CAFOD’s Walk Against Hunger. More recently, Hilda joined Westminster Justice and Peace at the London march for the Global Day of Action on Climate, linked to COP27. Around 15 parishioners meet regularly in a ‘Care of Creation’ zoom meeting.

On ‘Living Sustainably’, the parish has established an annual Care for Creation month (mid-September to mid-October) with a variety of events finishing with a parish Creation Mass. This aims to inform, educate and inspire the parish community to the “ecological conversion” which Pope Francis promotes in ‘Laudato Si’. It is also part of a desire for the parish to highlight environmental action within the wider local community. After a carbon footprint/energy usage audit, the parish has insulated buildings and changed all lighting to LED systems. There is an annual parish trip to a local recycling centre and new initiatives considered all the time.

The parish aims to make its parish centre a community hub and has resisted lucrative offers to rent which would have reduced access to the local community. This means regular classes and groups, as well as the Thursday Club for elderly parishioners, organised by Laura Allison, the parish’s Community Support Worker. She told us it was, “the highlight of my week,” and it was great that our visit was on a Thursday. We met senior citizens knitting squares for blankets for Ukraine and one was teaching seminarian John Casey to knit! Anastasia, aged 91, was crocheting a shawl to donate to the cause. Other rooms were used for keep fit classes for seniors, IT training and a ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ upcycling centre run by a Colombian parishioner called Marisol, who has received National Lottery funding to teach sewing and upcycling classes.

A culture of neighbourly care has been developed, with home visits for the housebound, elderly and isolated and transport for housebound parishioners. Weekly vegetarian meals are provided for the wider community, with 70-80 people of all faiths attending regularly. Surplus food is distributed in partnership with charities FoodCycle, Felix Project and City Harvest. The parish newsletter and social media provide regular feedback on the activities.

But back to the church, Colette and I were so impressed by new stained-glass windows in the church, created by London artist Mark Cazalet. Images contained faces which reflected the multi-cultural nature of the parish and background outlines of the White City landscape. Contextual theology was the inspiration, where theology has responded to the dynamics of this specific context. In two collages, saints of colour – such as Josephine Bakhita, Martin de Porres and Andrew Kim Taegon – were honoured alongside Bernadette of Lourdes and Maximilian Kolbe. Just last year the parish produced a book ‘Rooting out Racism from our Parish,’ with the desire to celebrate the diversity of the congregation and counter racism.

A young person in the parish – Alessandro, aged 10 – had been given a wall in the parish centre to decorate on the theme of ‘Love Creation’. The central globe was made of recycled materials; the land area with green bottletops from milk containers. Alongside drawings of flowers he wrote, ‘Save our Colours’. A power station belching out gases was among ‘The Causes of Global Warming’, and a cause of pollution, recognising that air quality is an issue in the area. It was life-affirming to see a young artist given this platform.

Hilda felt the award “will help us appreciate what we have done over the years.” Laura explained that “so many people have put such hard work into building up the parish and community, it is nice for everyone to celebrate.” Fr Richard took the view that, “all this work is an expression of living the Gospel in this real and raw community.”

The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, meeting in Leeds last week, commended the LiveSimply Award as a response to Pope Francis’ invitation in Laudato Si’ to “work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us”. They encouraged all parishes and schools to consider signing up to the award “as a sign of their solidarity with the poor and their desire to live in harmony with God’s creation.”

The programme is administered by CAFOD and first award was given ten years ago, in 2012.

LINK
LiveSimply Award – https://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/LiveSimply-award

COP27 Global Day of Action, London Mobilisation Report

Westminster Justice and Peace at the Global Day of Action, The Strand, London for COP27, 12th November 2022

COP27 GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION MOBILISATION, SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER, 11.30AM, LONDON

Westminster Justice & Peace joined CAFOD, the Southern Dioceses Environment Network, Christian Climate Action, Christian Aid, Tearfund, Quakers, Buddhists, Faith for the Climate and many other civic groups on Saturday 12th November for the Global Day of Action rally in Central London on the middle Saturday of COP27, the UN Climate Conference.

The faith bloc gathered at St John’s Church Waterloo, where they were welcomed by Rev Canon Giles Goddard and prayers were said in the garden, before moving to join a larger crowd outside the head office of oil giant Shell building on the Southbank.

Among these were health workers, scientists and campaigners highlighting the plight of climate refugees. Eco-Sikh called for a ‘Loss and Damage Fund Now’. Then thousands marched to Trafalgar Square for a rally.

Colette Joyce, coordinator of Westminster Justice & Peace Commission, who led the Westminster Justice & Peace group on the march said: “The urgency is growing with each year that passes, and so we can and must keep the pressure on to demand tangible results this time.”

Banners carried by pupils from St George’s Catholic Secondary School, Maida Vale

Report on Independent Catholic News

The State of Our Common Home in the Aftermath of COP27 with Mathew Lawrence, 17th November 2022, 7-8pm

London Jesuit Centre, 114 Mount Street

Speaker: Mathew Lawrence

Venue: London Jesuit Centre

Date: Thursday 17th November, 7.00-8.00pm

COP26 was described by commentators and political leaders as the ‘last chance saloon’ for global leaders to develop strategies to tackle the problem of climate change. A year on, the world is convulsed by the aftermath of Covid, economic instability and the war in Ukraine. Climate change has slipped down the agenda. Major nations have failed to live up to the obligations made at Cop26 last year and the $100 billion of climate finance which developed nations promised at 2009 would begin in 2020, has been postponed until next year. All the while, the catastrophic affects of climate change are becoming more and more visible in Pakistan, Sudan, California and even here in the UK.

Mathew Lawrence is the founder and Director of Common Wealth, a UK-based think tank that designs ownership models for a democratic and sustainable economy. His recent book Planet On Fire, is subtitled ‘a manifesto for the age of environmental breakdown.’ He will join the Jesuit Centre’s Laudato Si’ Champion – Aidan Cottrell-Boyce – to analyse the outcomes of Cop27. He will discuss future directions which policy-makers should be taking to create a more sustainable economy and will offer advice for ‘all people of good will’ on how best to participate as citizens in this ongoing defence of our common home.

Book with London Jesuit Centre

Suggested Contribution £10

PRAYER FOR THE COP27 CLIMATE SUMMIT

God of blessings,
the universe sings of your glory.
Deepen our gratitude for all you have made
and awaken in us a renewed commitment
to care for the earth and each other.
Inspire world leaders at COP27,
with openness to listen to those most affected by climate change
and with courage to act urgently and wisely,
so that our common home may be healed and restored
and all people, and generations to come, may delight in it.
Amen.

CAFOD

Links

Find out more about COP27

Global Day of Action for the Climate – 12th November 11.30am, London

Southern Dioceses Environment Network – 14th November, 12.45pm, Online

UPDATE – COP27 GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION MOBILISATION, SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER, 11.30AM, LONDON

Join CAFOD, Westminster Justice & Peace, the Southern Dioceses Environment Network and other Catholic groups in the Faith Bloc for this Global Day of Action rally in Central London on the middle Saturday of COP27, the UN Climate Conference.

LOCATION

Starting Location: St John’s Church, Waterloo, SE1 8TY

Date: Saturday, 12th November 2022, 11.30am

We will be meeting at 11:30am outside St John’s Church, Waterloo, for prayers from different faith traditions, before joining the main march outside the Shell building on the South Bank, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 7NA, at noon. The march route ends at Trafalgar Square, where there will be a rally from 2:30 until around 4pm.

Register with CAFOD to let us know you will be joining us on the day

Contact Colette Joyce if you would like to walk with Westminster Justice & Peace – colettejoyce@rcdow.org.uk / 07593 434905

Bring your own home-made banners or signs or use those provided by CAFOD.

CAFOD Supporters at the Global Day of Action for the Climate, Glasgow, 2021, COP26

KEY CLIMATE DATES

COP27 Global Day of Action Mobilisation, Saturday 12th November, 11am, London

CAFOD Supporters at the Global Day of Action for the Climate, Glasgow, 2021, COP26

Join CAFOD, Westminster Justice & Peace, the Southern Dioceses Environment Network and other Catholic groups in the Faith Bloc for this Global Day of Action rally in Central London on the middle Saturday of COP27, the UN Climate Conference, on 12th November 2022.

Location

Starting Location: Shell Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 7NA

Date: Saturday, 12th November 2022, 11.00am

Register with CAFOD to let us know you will be joining us on the day

Key Climate Dates Autumn 2022

22 September – 7 November: Walk2COP27 – Virtual walk from Glasgow to Sharm el-Sheikh organised by Sam Baker. Participants include the Laudato Si’ Animators. Download the App and log your steps in solidarity with others around the world! A virtual townhall meeting takes place in each of the 12 countries en route: Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. https://www.walk2cop27.com/

25 October, 7.30-9.30pm: Catholic People’s Weeks Annual Autumn Online Lecture with Dr Carmody Grey – Living in a Time of Crisis: Christianity and Ecological Catastrophe. Dr Grey is Assistant Professor of Catholic Theology at Durham University and a visiting research fellow at Laudato Si Institute, Oxford. https://catholicpeoplesweeks.org/events/annual-autumn-lecture-2022

29 October, 11am-2.30pm: CAFOD Faith in Action – Online event. Includes updates on transforming our food system campaign and finding out more about COP27. Register in advance

6-18 November – COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt https://cop27.eg/

14 November, 12.45-2.00pm. Southern Dioceses Environment Network. Prayer and reflection for COP27 On Zoom. Book with Eventbrite

5-17 December: COP15 Part 2 (In person) – Montreal, Canada – UN Convention of Biological Diversity  COP15 https://www.cbd.int/cop/

12 December, 12.45-2.00pm. Southern Dioceses Environment Network. Feedback on COP27, Advent and Planning for 2023. On Zoom. Book with Eventbrite

10-18 June 2023 – Great Big Green Week

Visit our Care of Creation Pages here

Report from Southern Dioceses Environment Network, Monday 10th October 2022 – COP27

Our first speaker was Paul Chitnis, Director of Jesuit Missions

  • Jesuit Missions is the Mission and Development Office of the Jesuits in Britain.
  • Based in Wimbledon.
  • Work in countries in Southern Africa, parts of India and Guyana.
  • Paul was previously Director of SCIAF, the development agency in Scotland, sister agency to CAFOD.
  • He was present at COP26, along with his colleague Colm Fahey.
  • He is not attending this year.
  • COP27 (6-18 November 2022) is taking place on the African continent for the first time.
  • One of the main drivers of hunger in Africa is climate change.
  • Seeing the impact of climate change everywhere, floods in Pakistan, droughts in Africa, fires in Australia.
  • The political context this year is significant. Attention of the world has been diverted by the war in Ukraine. The bandwidth of our political leaders for climate change has been reduced.
  • On the agenda for COP27 – as usual ‘adaptation’ and ‘mitigation’ measures.
  • There will also be an emphasis this year on’ loss and damage’ – compensation for losses due to climate change for which adaption is not possible.
  • World leaders were in attendance at COP26 which had an impact on the country negotiators and the civic society activists present. There are likely to be fewer world leaders present this time.
  • Finance will be key. The conference will succeed or fail depending on funding. ‘Follow the money’ – that is where the answer will be.
  • Has to work quite hard personally to remain optimistic after many years working for climate change. Only have to watch ‘Frozen Planet’ on a Sunday night to see the impacts. Faith communities have a role to play because they offer hope and he is hopeful.
  • Final question: What happens if we do not meet these targets from the Paris Agreement?

Paul’s presentation was complemented by a presentation from Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford

  • Diocese of Salford Website
  • Evidence is overwhelming in terms of the climate damage that is happening.
  • Great damage being reported today from storms in Venezuela.
  • In September a climate disaster seemed to be reported every day.
  • Good news from some governments speaking up in the last few months Australia, New Zealand, US (although not consistently), Denmark, Singapore.
  • Encouraging because governments have to take the lead, industry has a part to play, and each of us individually must do our part.
  • Pope Francis is consistently encouraging.
  • Our government has not been helpful. During process of whittling down candidates for conservative party leader from 11 to 2 there was one mention of the environment by one candidate. Obsession with growth for the economy is misplaced. Helps neither the poor nor the environment. Hopefully restarting fracking will not happen. Local resistance in Lancashire.
  • First activity in Glasgow last year was a multi-faith prayer service in George Square. Each of 9 major faiths, including Pagans, led a prayer and he couldn’t disagree with any of it. All major faiths have a concern for the world in which we live.
  • 85% of the world population adhere to one of those faiths. Presents a real opportunity for faith leaders to conjure more enthusiasm.
  • Young people are so much more enthusiastic and learned. Schools love visiting the Laudato Si’ Centre in Salford. Over 100,000 turned up for the young people’s rally in Glasgow.
  • Deforestation Agreement was good but even as Brazil was signing the promise it was increasing deforestation of the Amazon by 15%.
  • Loss and Damage – $100 million sounds a lot but it is not. It is vital life-saving money. Up to 1 billion people might migrate by 2050 because of the loss of agricultural land and heading to the places that are able to produce food. Very short-sighted not to care for people already affected by climate change.
  • Disappointed that the Prime Minister has told King Charles not to go to COP-27. His long-standing commitment and experience would be helpful.
  • Haven’t seen much evidence that best intentions have been implemented. IPCC say at the moment we are heading for 3.2 degrees increase.
  • Good things – increasing understanding of the environment. More and more groups are aligning. Pope Francis film ‘The Letter’ gives a very clear appeal and should be recommended far and wide.
  • ‘We are jogging along but we need to be sprinting.’

Small Group Discussions…

We considered the question:

Sam Baker’s Walk2COP27 has started. It is a journey to gather people for a common cause. What would you talk about with a stranger to bring people together?

The Letter: Laudato Si’ Film Released 4th October 2022

We watched the trailer together on YouTube:

The full movie can be watched for free online: https://theletterfilm.org/watch/

Resources: Shared by John Paul de Quay

Read
‘Call of Creation’ (October 2022 Update) from the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/the-call-of-creation

World Wildlife Fund Expectations for COP27:
https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/climate_and_energy_practice/cop27/

Watch
‘The Letter’ Movie: https://theletterfilm.org/watch/

Campaign
Bishop John Arnold calls for rethink on reversing fracking ban: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-63062304

Organise
https://journeyto2030.org/let-us-dream/ Order ‘Let Us Dream’ activity packs from Journey to 2030 to use with your church group / parish.

Southern Diocese Environment Network Future Meetings

Monday 14th November, 12.45-2.00pm, Prayer and Reflection for COP-27
Monday 12th December, 12.45-2.00pm, Feedback on COP-27, Advent, 2023

Website & Recordings from Previous Meetings
Southern Dioceses Environment Network

Key Climate Dates

St Francis of Assisi, 4th October

By Amy Smith, Westminster Justice and Peace Communications Volunteer, who has been learning about the life of St Francis, his connection to the Season of Creation and the inspiration he provided for Pope Francis.

Giovanni di Petro di Bernardone, better known as Saint Francis of Assisi, was born in Assisi in 1181. He founded the Franciscan order of monks, the Poor Clares (female), and a lay community. He died in 1226 and was later canonised after 2 years as the patron saint of animals and ecology. His feast day is celebrated on the 4th October.

His consecration to poverty and charity drew thousands of followers. As the son of a cloth merchant, he dreamed of becoming a knight but after several visions from God eventually dedicated himself to solitude and prayer. One such vision where he felt God commanding him to ‘repair the church’ lead him to renounce his own troubled family relationships and possessions and commit himself to God and those in poverty.

He began to preach repentance as a layperson and attracted many followers from all walks of life.

His vision was for an order that expressed God’s brotherhood and love to all creation, including the natural world. He encountered God in all things viewing it as an expression of His generous love:

‘Praised be you my Lord, through our sister mother earth, who sustains us and directs us, bringing forth all kinds of fruits and coloured flowers and herbs.’

One famous story tells of Francis preaching to hundreds of birds about being thankful to God for their independence and His care. According to the story the birds remained still and only flew away when Francis allowed them to leave.

Pope Francis comments on his radical approach in Laudato Si’:

‘The poverty and austerity of Saint Francis were no mere veneer of asceticism, but something much more radical: a refusal to turn reality into an object simply to be used and controlled.’

Laudato Si’, 11 (2015)

Hopefully his mark on the world leads us to question our own relationship with nature, to treat it with dignity and respect all of life as uniquely created by God.

Prayer of St Francis

Dear Mother Earth,

Who day by day unfolds rich blessing on our way
O Praise God! Alleluia!

The fruits and flowers that verdant grow,
Let them his praise abundant show.

O praise God, O praise God,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Report from the Southern Dioceses Network Meeting 12th September 2022

Southern Dioceses Environment Network 12th September 2022: Presentation by Shanon Shah, Director, Faith for the Climate

We were delighted to welcome Shanon Shah, the Director of Faith for the Climate, as our guest speaker for the first meeting this term of the Southern Dioceses Environment Network.

Faith for the Climate is a network that aims to equip, inspire, and encourage faith inspired action on issues of climate change across the UK. All faiths and spiritualities are welcome.

Shanon Shah is a Malaysian Muslim who came to the UK in 2010. He joined the team at Faith for the Climate in 2020.

The organisation aims to unite those of faith together in the environmental justice space and to encourage learning from the different faith traditions. It was a way to target the UK government and show solidarity with those who suffer the worse impact of climate change despite doing the least to contribute.

The group meet regularly online with two priorities in the lead up to COP-26: new and additional money for loss and damage, ending fossil fuel subsidies. The UK government has made some progress with the second focus, therefore, most energy was focused on loss and damage.

Loss and Damage is part of the architecture of the Paris Agreement which includes three main pillars of climate action; mitigation of climate emissions, adaption to live with the impact of climate change, loss and damage. Loss and damage is when the impact of climate change is so severe that adaption/mitigation is not possible e.g. as a result of sea level rises, extreme weather events.

The UK government has historically blocked negotiations on loss and damage.

At COP-19, in 2013, the Warsaw international mechanism for Loss and damage was established in response to the typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. At COP-25 in Madrid, the Santiago network on loss and damage was established to implement the Warsaw mechanism. It called for richer countries to offer compensation. At COP-26, there was a push for clarity on how the Santiago network would be implemented.

The Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage was established post COP-26. Many questions on how to address the issue are undecided, but it is climbing the agenda with the first awareness day last year. This is largely due to the efforts of faith communities.

The UK has faced financial difficulty this year due to the war in Ukraine, cost of living crisis etc. which has made it more difficult to talk about loss and damage. Despite our own issues we must not forget countries such as Pakistan which is now 1/3 under water with the displacement of 50 million people and 10 billion US dollars’ worth of damage. These poorer countries are suffering the worst effects of climate change despite contributing the least. The impacts of extreme weather events are far greater for them and they are still struggling with debt.

It seems only fair that the big polluters have the most responsibility to pay compensation for loss and damage. It is a moral issue that lies at the centre of many faiths; we are all interconnected.

The next Loss and Damage Awareness Day will be on the 22nd September; including a walk of witness to Parliament Square via the Shell headquarters. Gathering at St. John’s Church, Waterloo, 10.30am. It will join those doing an interfaith fast for loss and damage.

22 September – Loss and Damage Awareness Day
10.30am Meet at St John’s Waterloo, 73 Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8TY
11.30am Walk to the Shell headquarters for a vigil
12.00pm Walk to Parliament Square
Loss and Damage Day of Action London

We then broke into small groups to consider the question: “In what ways does the topic of Loss and Damage resonate with this year’s theme for the Season of Creation – Listen to the Voice of Creation?”

Links

Faith for the Climate
Loss and Damage Day of Action London
Southern Dioceses Environment Network
Key Climate Dates in 2022

The Journey to 2030 website has been revamped with several sections for new resources. Check it out at:

https://journeyto2030.org new homepage
https://journeyto2030.org/let-us-dream/ let us dream activity*
https://journeyto2030.org/getting-started-2/ The new getting started and resources page
https://journeyto2030.org/poster-activity/ – The ‘building a caring community’ activity poster page

*You can order packs of the ‘Let Us Dream’ activity to use with your church group / parish.

The next meeting of the Southern Dioceses Environment Network is on Monday 10th October, 12.45-2.00pm. Register with Eventbrite