Former Archbishop calls for urgent climate action, as hundreds of Christians occupy parliament entrance in 240 hour vigil
Immediate release
This Lent, hundreds of Christians, including Bishops, are occupying the entrance of parliament, in a round-the-clock prayer vigil, set to last 240 hours.
The vigil started today, Wednesday 14th February, with a church service at St Johns Church Waterloo, after which those taking part made their way to the gates of parliament.
Christians will be holding the vigil, day and night, for the first ten days of Lent – from the 14th to the 24th February. The group are urging the government to give up fossil fuel expansion.
The vigil comes soon after the UK government has issued licences for the right to drill for oil and gas in 24 new areas across the North Sea. This decision is in direct contrast to advice from the International Energy Agency (IEA), which outlines that there can be no new fossil fuel projects if the world is to stay within the 1.5°C limit on global warming.
A number of Christian organisations are taking part in the vigil, including Christian Aid, CAFOD, Tearfund, The Salvation Army, The Student Christian Movement, Green Christian, Operation Noah, Christian Climate Action, A Rocha UK and JPIT.
The vigil has three asks of the government:
– Make the UK’s biggest polluters pay for climate action, through taxing fossil fuel giants.
– Deliver and build on the UK’s international climate finance pledges and pay into the UN’s Loss and Damage Fund.
– Ban new UK-based fossil fuel projects.
Christians from across the country are invited to come along, with their churches and friends, to join in the vigil.
Quotes
“Every day that passes increases the urgency of action on the climate crisis, for the sake of our whole human family. In Lent, Christians remember that they are part of creation, not lords of creation, and that their life and salvation depends on being willing to turn away from pride, violence and greed in order to receive what God longs to give to all. This vigil calls us to renew that vision and respond to that invitation.” – Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams
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“Climate change impacts us all but it impacts the poorest countries the most. Climate justice is racial justice and that’s why we’ll be supporting the Lent Vigil” – Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England, spoke at the service at St Johns Church Waterloo
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“So many continue to put their faith in the old world of endless economic growth powered by fossil fuels. The future can be so much more positive than this – but only if people of faith step up now and bear witness, in action, to a greater truth based on justice, compassion and personal responsibility. Please support the vigil.” – Sir Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director Forum for the Future, and Green Christian Patron
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“While our global family staggers under the weight of the devastation of climate change, we will continue to fight for justice by deploying our greatest weapon: prayer.” – Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main, Territorial Leaders of The Salvation Army, United Kingdom and Ireland
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“This prayer vigil, lasting 240 hours, is an expression of love for our planet, its people and all of creation. Love can motivate the kind of change we need for a fairer, greener world. As we pray and meditate on God’s love for all creation, it’s our hope that our witness will urge politicians and leaders to take climate action.” – Dr Ruth Valerio, Head of Advocacy, Tearfund
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“Praying for change is something that is very familiar to Christians, and praying for change in us and in our world is an important part of our practice in Lent. The Lent Vigil for Climate Justice takes that practice into public space, making it a powerful act of witness and Operation Noah is very happy to support it.” – Revd. Dr. Darrell D. Hannah, Chair, Operation Noah
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“For the first 10 days and nights of Lent we will be praying for an end to new oil and gas licences. Lent is associated with giving something up. Our politicians can keep their chocolate. What they need to do is give up their obsession with extractivism, and create a just transition to renewable energy sources. This would benefit the poorest households, whose fuel bills would get cheaper. Jesus’ message was always for the poor. This vigil is for the poorest homes in the UK, and for the poorest countries of our world, who have contributed least to the climate crisis.” – Rev Helen Burnett, vicar of St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Chaldon, and member of Christian Climate Action
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“Our current economic model doesn’t work for people or the planet – and banks and financial institutions are at the heart of this as they continue to invest heavily in fossil fuels. As Christians we are called to love our neighbours and care for creation, and to pray in all circumstances – so let’s pray together for a greener, cleaner future, where everyone and all of creation can flourish.” – Sarah Edwards, Executive Director, JustMoney Movement
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“Everyday we see the worsening effects of the climate crisis in a world which is becoming more and more vulnerable. Climate refugees, animals on the edge of extinction, our home on the brink. In Lent we are given the chance to reflect on our own part in all of this. As a charity working with and for students and young people, we see the desperate need to help them create a better future and call on our governments to do the same. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer puts it; “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” – Phoebe Edmonds, Faith in Action Project Worker, Student Christian Movement.
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“At the heart of our Christian faith is our belief that all of God’s creation should be treasured, and enabled to flourish. Our worsening climate crisis is already having a devastating impact on the world God created, and in particular, the most vulnerable of our communities and natural habitats. I wholeheartedly endorse the Lent Vigil for Climate Justice. It is part of our Christian discipleship to engage in such acts of prayerful prophetic witness, which challenge those in power to do what is right, by taking bold action to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions.” – Deacon Kerry Scarlett, Vice President of the Methodist Conference
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“Last year was the warmest year on record, with the temperature rise nearing the 1.5 degree centigrade. This is predicted to be warmer still. Extreme weather events will continue to disrupt the lives of some of the most vulnerable people on the planet. In an election year in the UK, what more evidence do our politician need to stop further fossil fuel development and commit to a rapid transition to renewal energy – for the sake of our generations; and for the sake of future generations.” – Rev Dr Dave Gregory, Baptist Mission for Science and Environment and Convenor of BUEN – the Baptist Union Environment Network
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“With a general election coming up it is vital that we hear from all parties how they would fund the transition to a net-zero economy. The UK is lagging behind the EU in the percentage of power generated from renewable energy. For the sake of the climate and for affordability of electricity for hard-pressed households, we must invest much more in wind, solar and other renewables.” – Steve Hucklesby, Policy Advisor for the Methodist Church
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“The climate crisis is becoming noticeable at an alarming rate. God has blessed us with a beautiful world, where fossil fuels are threatening its destruction. Lent is a time of reflection, when we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at the feast of Easter. We pray and look forward to the potential of a flourishing world, where we have no faith in fossil fuels. It is time for our governments to make the right choice for the protection of God’s earth. Through this vigil, let us end the faith in fossil fuels currently held by global leaders.” – Thomas Hart, Methodist Youth President
Christian Climate Action 