Diocese of Connor passes motion on climate change



The Diocese of Connor also passed a motion at its synod calling on the Representative Church Body to divest from fossil fuels.

The following is an extract from an article on the Connor website about the synod.

"A Motion on Climate Change – Disinvestment by RCB prompted some debate. The motion, proposed eloquently by the Rev Canon John Budd urged the RCB to:
  • increase investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency companies
  • ensure there are no investments in coal companies (except those investing in carbon capture) and tar sand companies within the next year
  • examine the possibility of disinvestment from oil companies within three years from now
  • examine the possibility of disinvestment from natural gas companies after five years
  • call on parishes and individuals to encourage government and political parties to act responsibly on climate change.

Canon Budd said: “We will soon be taking part in Harvest Services, thanking God and making us aware of our debt to him, but also of our responsibilities. We have to think about the consequences of our actions at home and elsewhere in the world.”

He said 80 per cent of global warming was due to CO2 emissions. “Those who are least prepared to face the consequences are the poorest who are among the least contributors to pollution.

“The best answer for the world’s future is for as much as possible of existing reserves of coal, oil and natural gas to remain in the ground and to move to natural fuels,” said Canon Budd.

The motion was seconded by Diocesan Lay Secretary Ken Gibson who said: “It is our responsibility to look after what God has given us.” Arthur McCartney, St John’s, Malone, and the Rev John Bach also spoke in favour of the motion.

Leonard Jarvis from Derriaghy was a dissenting voice, arguing that God had given us coal, oil and gas to use. “We need to question the science. Yes, we need to look at resources and renewables, but we are in danger of indulging in political posturing,” he said, urging Synod members to vote against the Motion.

The Motion was passed by a majority vote."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Care for Creation - new growth in Ireland

Image
It is been quite a year for Care for Creation in Irish Churches, perhaps it could even be called a season of new growth. And it all came about because of two teenage girls speaking passionately. Tori and Isobella from Mullingar Parish in county Meath spoke for a few minutes at the Irish Churches Creation Care conference and captured the hearts of the audience and explained what creation care is all about.  You can see the moment below, Their project Lighten Our Darkness by Numbers is a youth-led response to climate change. They are educating church goers, engaging communities, building bridges to businesses, and enhancing biodiversity in church graveyards.   This short talk from the girls had a deep impact on the Archbishop of Armagh, and he spoke about it at his presidential address in General Synod.  Archbishop John McDowell said, We need to do what that group of young people from Westmeath are doing. That is, to work on ways of inspiring and equipping parishes t...
Read more

Speech to General Synod 2022

Image
Photo from Stephen Spillane The support from the RCB to parishes, dioceses and cathedrals during the Covid-19 emergency was most welcome. It helped us worship in difficult at times. May I suggest we use this model of support to respond to other emergencies too. The World Health Organisation said in October last year that, “the single biggest health threat facing humanity” is Climate change. We must take decisive action. I want to thank the RCB for leading the way by divesting and supporting the Creation Care Conference in April.  But it is also up to every diocese, every parish, and every one of us to take action. We need a grassroots movement to transform our churches and our lives for a sustainable future. And church leaders, you might need to sow some fresh seed to help the grass roots grow. I think the RCB can support this movement by responding to the Climate Emergency, just as it did with Covid. For example, How many of you clergy have lived in a cold and draf...
Read more

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland to vote on fossil fuel divestment

Image
  Photo by  Lukasz Szmigiel  on  Unsplash There have been a number of very positive statements from the PCI in the last few months on climate change, and today there is an opportunity for action to stop funding fossil fuels. The church's decision to support The Climate Sundays initiative is really positive. The moderator is encouraging congregations across Ireland to set aside one Sunday in October as `Climate Sunday' to focus on God's creation and humanity's responsibility to be good stewards of it. Rev Dr David Bruce also produced a Climate Conversation video to outline briefly some of the theological reasons why Christians should take climate change seriously and care for creation. This is all very welcome. Another key moment will be today, Tuesday 5th October, when the General Assembly will vote on a motion to divest from fossil fuels. It aims to fully divest from fossil fuel production companies that it holds - that's £5m in BP, Shell and Total - and to engag...
Read more