Speech to General Synod 2022

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,

1. How many of you clergy have lived in a cold and drafty parochial home? We need RCB support to draft proofing and insulation – let’s call it the ‘Cosy Clergy Home Scheme’.
2. The RCB should support the use of electric vehicles. Help to install electric car chargers in rectories, reform the locomotory allowance, and pay a mileage allowance for cycling. Bishop David can lead the pleaton on this one.

 

There is much we can do personally too. Here are some ideas,

1. Educate ourselves on creation care theology. I highly recommend watching Chris Wright’s theological lecture from the Irish Churches Creation Care Conference.
2. Put environmental sustainability as a rolling agenda item on our select vestry meetings. Measure our emissions, get energy rating certificates and draw up an action plan for improvements.

We need to be personal, and we need to be prophetic. Our bishops do a good job at this, speaking into the public square. But each of us can engage with our local politicians on these matters. They want your votes.

In February this year the IPCC said that, “Climate change is a threat to human wellbeing and the health of the planet. Any further delay in concerted global action will miss a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future,”

We need to act, and we must act now.

It says in Psalm 104:14. “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” And it goes on “You cause the grass to grow” and “plants for man to cultivate.”

We need to cultivate grassroots action and plant seeds of hope for our young people and to build Christs Kingdom here in earth just as it is in heaven.