Christian climate change campaigners stage 240-hour vigil outside Parliament

Image Christian Climate Action

A 'No Faith in Fossil Fuels' 24-hour vigil outside the Westminster Parliament started on Ash Wednesday and will continue for ten days until Saturday 24 February. The lead organiser is Christian Climate Action (CCA) and other agencies involved include CAFOD, Christian Aid, Green Christian and Operation Noah. The campaigners said climate change is "putting all of God's creation at risk and all our children's futures at risk".

The vigil is based in front of Carriage Gates at Westminster and campaigners are on a rota to ensure a round-the-clock presence. They urge "bold climate action" by the Government, including moving away from the use of oil and gas, reparation payments for damage caused by climate change in the Global South, and investment in green policies.

As part of the vigil the Catholic CCA group is leading a daily Novena to Our Lady Help of Christians for Climate Justice. The Rosary is being said at noon every day. Columban Sr Kate Midgley will lead many of these and a Columban group is on the rota for 5pm to 11pm on Wednesday 21 February

Before the vigil, more than 200 climate campaigners attended a packed ecumenical service at St John's, Waterloo, where a prayer for courage said: "We bear witness to our faith this day and for 40 days, sharing in wilderness days and wilderness witness, knowing that we are called to live lives of courage, lives of love, lives of reconciliation."

The blessing was given by Martin Gainsborough, Anglican Bishop of Kingston, who said afterwards, it was, "very good to be part of this beautiful and well-choreographed occasion; may our hearts be so opened that our love changes everything'. Also in attendance were Olivia Graham, Anglican Bishop of Reading, and environmentalist and Green Christian patron Sir Jonathon Porritt.

The service was led by Rev'd Helen Burnett and Rev'd Canon Giles Goddard, vicar of St John's at Waterloo. Reflections were given by Ruth Valerio, Global Advocacy and Influencing Director for Tearfund, and Pentecostal Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England. Two young women, one from the Salvation Army Territorial Justice and Reconciliation Youth Forum and the other Hannah Lonergan, a Faith in Action volunteer with the Columbans, read Psalm 42. Hannah, who was joined by a Columban group with Fr Kevin McDonagh, Sr Kat Midgley and Jane Lavery said afterwards: "We gathered together at St John's Church, Waterloo, to reflect under the themes of lament, longing and love; this was then followed by receiving ashes, and then moving together to Parliament Square to begin the vigil. It was very moving to come together on Ash Wednesday, as a community of Christians, to reflect, pray, and call for action."

Music was led by a Salvation Army Band and Engage Worship. The first hymn set the theme: 'O God of boundless hope, we need your Spirit's power; creation's crisis deepens with each passing hour. So make us strong to speak your word, and make it heard, and right what's wrong.' There was a Song of Lament for the "groaning of nature" and the spending of resources on "war and waste," ending with 'Show us how to love your world again.' Graham Kendrick's 'Beauty for Brokenness' called for justice, peace and care for God's creation.

When participants left the service, heading to Parliament Square, the lead banner read: 'Vigil for Climate Justice - No Faith in Fossil Fuels.' The blessing of the vigil on the pavement outside Parliament was by Methodist Vice President Deacon Kerry Scarlett. Those attending the vigil can register for hourly slots during the day and seven-hour slots during the night, but anyone is welcome to join at any time.

In Parliament Square on Ash Wednesday, Melanie Nazareth, a Catholic member of CCA, was interviewed by Jacob Rees-Mogg for GB News. "The time has come to move away from fossil fuels and to move away rapidly" she said. She felt the vigil "offered the hand of friendship" to climate vulnerable countries." Rees-Mogg, whose view is that fossil fuels are essential, said afterwards, "I admire them even if I disagree with them."

On Sunday 18 February at noon people of all faiths are meeting outside St John's, Waterloo for a walk to the Gandhi statue in Parliament Square as part of the No Faith In Fossil Fuels vigil.

LINKS

Vigil details at: https://christianclimateaction.org/2023/12/08/join-us-for-the-no-faith-in-fossil-fuels-lent-vigil-for-climate-justice-14-24-february-2024/

Jacob Rees-Mogg video interview with Melenie Nazareth of Christian Climate Action at the Christian Climate Protest on Ash Wednesday from 38.50 at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrP5edLSYM4&t=3s

Interfaith Walk on 18 February details: https://faithfortheclimate.org.uk/events/fftc-cca-interfaith-vigil-feb-2024/