COP26 Blog 9: 'We are all environmentalists now' + links

Fr Joshtrom Kureethadam and Ellen Teague

"We are all environmentalists now" - the Bishop Chair of Scotland Justice and Peace said at Sunday Mass today, "but we must put our beliefs into practice." Bishop William Nolan of Galloway was giving the homily at St Aloysius Jesuit church in Glasgow which hosted a COP26 delegates' Mass halfway through the conference.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB, of Aberdeen, Chair of the Scottish Bishops Conference, was the main celebrant, alongside six out of the eight Scottish Catholic bishops and more than 20 priests.

Other concelebrants included the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, Fr Damian Howard SJ, Provincial of Jesuits in Britain; Fr Roger Dawson SJ, Superior of the Jesuits in Scotland; Fr Gerard Mitchell SJ, Parish Priest of St Aloysius and Fr Joshtrom (Josh) Isaac Kureethadam, Coordinator of 'Ecology and Creation' at the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and a member of the Vatican delegation to COP26.

The Mass was ticketed so I was lucky to get in! Meeting Fr Josh was one highlight. Bishop Nolan's homily was another and he received spontaneous applause from the congregation at the end. He warned against just "painting ourselves greener than green" and suggested that "we must combine our words and actions and respond to "the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor." There were at least three references to these famous words of Pope Francis in his 2015 Encyclical Laudato Si. Bishop Nolan warned against thinking that technology will solve the problem of climate change and he suggested that we must fundamentally review our lifestyles. "Are we citizens or consumers?" he asked; "Surely our purpose is more than consuming." Drawing heavily on the Church's Social Teaching he reminded that, "Earth's resources are finite and not just to be used by the powerful and rich."

Scattered through the congregation were a lot of tired people after yesterday's uplifting but long climate march, which some have jokingly called "soggy solidarity." The Sisters of St Joseph of Peace and Faithful Companions of Jesus were joined by Camino to COP walkers, and campaigners with Earth Vigil, Columban missionaries, CAFOD and Operation Noah. Bidding prayers for Christian champions of the environment and for a just sharing of Earth's resources gave a spiritual context for the concerns being aired at COP26.

There was beautiful music from the Motherwell Diocese choristers led by Mrs Elaine Trower, organist Mr John Pitcathley, and even a brass band. They played John Rutter's 'For the Beauty of the Earth' and a powerful version of 'All creatures of our God and King' among other pieces. At the end, Bishop Gilbert thanked all those "putting energy into COP26" and urged them to "continue in the name of Christ."

A notable feature of the past week has been the energy and breadth of engagement by faith groups. Liturgies, multi-faith gatherings and vigils abound. A notable declaration by a coalition of faith leaders last week was the largest-ever divestment from fossil fuels by faith groups, including the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland. But preparations are being put in place for future work as well. Guidance was released last week for the Catholic Church in England and Wales on accounting methods for net zero carbon. This 'Guidance on Catholic Diocesan Carbon Accounting' presented a step-by-step guide specifically for a Catholic diocese, produced by the 'Guardians of Creation' project.

Later this afternoon a special COP26 service featuring Christian churches and organisations from around the world was held at 12th century Glasgow Cathedral. The event, which was organised by Glasgow Churches Together, was attended by guests from countries including Australia, Fiji, and Zimbabwe in a show of ecumenical solidarity for global climate justice. Many of those who took part were from nations which are already bearing the brunt of climate change. Faith leaders contributing to the service represented the All Africa Conference of Churches, Pacific Conference of Churches, Anglican Communion, Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Council of Churches, Eco-Congregation Scotland and the Scottish Church Leaders' Forum. Representatives from the Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) and the Camino to COP were also in the congregation.

Many people walked from St Aloysius to Glasgow Cathedral, about a mile away, and it proved to be a great opportunity for informal chats. I found myself with two bishops - Scottish and Irish - Fr Josh, Danny Sweeney of Scotland Justice and Peace and Jo Siedlecka of ICN. Fr Josh is preparing for the Vatican launch of the Laudato Si Platform next weekend, a ready-made programme for Catholic parishes, schools and groups to build a sustainable future in a variety of ways. It was great to see the Church working at the summit itself and outside with many positive initiatives and prayer.

This was a rest day for the COP Summit after several days of pledges at the end of the week to put climate at the heart of national curriculums, support sustainable ocean projects and take urgent action and investment to protect nature and shift to more sustainable ways of farming. It was good to have a day of taking stock before a very busy second week. Alistair Dutton, Chief Executive of SCIAF, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, said today: "There are just a few days left to make the Glasgow talks really count for those facing the consequences of the devastating climate crisis. So much time and energy has gone into hosting COP26, now it's time for negotiators to deliver the robust action the world needs."

Already a four-day 'People's Summit' has been launched for 7-10 November with sessions online covering such issues as 'Extractivism Industries, Climate Colonialism and Community Alternatives' and 'No Climate Justice without Social Justice'. And tomorrow afternoon, an Operation Noah event will see leading faith thinkers and campaigners discussing fossil fuel divestment and climate justice. If you find such discussions fascinating - which I do - it's a feast of dialogue and advocacy before COP26 comes up with its report at the end of the week and the long-term work to tackle climate change will really get going.

LINK

People's Summit - http://cop26coalition.org/peoples-summit/

Booking: COP26 online discussion on fossil fuel divestment - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/43410

Watch a recording of the Mass: https://mediades.co.uk/cop26/