London: Christians pray and march at Restore Nature rally

Colette Joyce and Fr Dominic Robinson from Westminster J&P with campaigners about to join the march.

People of all faiths and none were out in force at the Restore Nature march in London last Saturday. Billed as the "largest-ever environmental march", an estimated nearly 100,000 people from more than 350 organisations took part - ranging from long established wildlife organisations to climate change activists and faith groups.

Led by naturalist and television presenter Chris Packham with actors Emma Thompson and Judi Dench, Megan McCubbin, Steve Backshall, singer Feargal Sharkey, speakers at the rally urged stronger political action to tackle the nature and climate crisis based on five demands: Giving a pay-rise for nature. Making polluters pay.Delivering more space for nature. Putting a right to a healthy environment in law. Ensuring fair and effective climate action.

Christian campaigners gathered before the march at packed service at Farm Street Church in Mayfair, hosted by A Rocha, the Salvation Army, Christian Climate Action, Operation Noah and Green Christian. Rev Helen Burnett, Vicar of St Peter & Paul Chandon, Diocese of Southwark and Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, Parish Priest and Chair of Westminster Justice & Peace, led the prayers. A separate Forest Church gathering for children took place in the church grounds.

Participants then joined the march through central London, to the rally in Parliament Square.

Colette Joyce from Westminster Diocese Justice and Peace told ICN: "Pope Francis has urged us all to hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor and to respond. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world so we need to act fast now, not only to protect what we have left, but to restore what we have lost. When we help nature we also help ourselves, creating better physical and mental health for ourselves and for future generations. The aims of this rally chime with those expressed in Laudato Si', and so many Catholics have come out to support it. We know that we need to be in this for the long haul, but we are not doing it alone. The care of our common home is a cause that can unite people like no other. As one slogan said 'No nature, no us'!"

Tim Cooper, co-founder and Trustee of Green Christian, said: "It was hugely inspiring to see so many Christians demonstrating their love of God's creation by joining the march. The event should serve as a wake-up call to Christians everywhere. When we voice praise to God for the glory of His creation, we are simultaneously called to address the severe harm being caused to nature by our current lifestyles and priorities."

Speaking at the rally, Emma Thompson said: "We cannot take any more oil out of the ground. I mean, there's much argument about it. I know there's a lot of very complicated economic arguments about it. … we have to leave all the resources in the ground, we cannot bring them out of the ground."

Chris Packham, who proposed the march and led the coalition of green charities taking part, said political parties' lack of "substantial promises" in the election campaign to tackle the destruction of the planet was "reckless".

"I'm devastated by the lack of foresight, intelligence, commitment, understanding and determination to do anything about the single biggest issue in our species' history," he said. "At a time when we need bold and brave leadership, we're not seeing any sign from any of the manifestos that that might materialise."

Packham said it would be "a bold ask" to expect the march - to put the biodiversity crisis on the political agenda given that it has had "next to no mention at all" in the election campaign so far.

But he said he hoped the day of songs, speeches and slogans for wildlife would show there was a growing coalition determined to force the next government to properly fund nature recovery, with further protests a possibility.

"What the march should do is send a very clear signal to all candidates that an enormous breadth of society is exhibiting a real concern for nature restoration," he said. "Don't think we're going to go away because we will be banging on the door of No 10 on 5 July saying now is the time for action."

Mary Andrews, Green Christian member and volunteer, said: "Brilliant to be united with thousands upon thousands of nature lovers, to call for its restoration now, at this amazing, family friendly march!"

LINKS

Operation Noah: www.operationnoah.org/

Green Christian: https://greenchristian.org.uk/

Westminster Justice & Peace: https://westminsterjusticeandpeace.org/

Catholic Action For Animals: https://catholicactionforanimals.wordpress.com/

Laudato Si Animators: https://laudatosianimators.org.

A Rocha: https://arocha.org.uk/

NJPN 2024 Conference: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference/