Category: Latest News

“With the United Nations COP26 negotiations taking place in Glasgow, Claire McCollum joins Christians raising awareness of climate change and urging us all to take action to prevent it. In Gateshead and Newcastle, Yolanda Brown joins pilgrims from the Young Christians Climate Network during their five-month walking relay from Cornwall to Glasgow.”

“Environmental campaigner Laura Young shows Claire a zero-waste shop and explains how the way we buy everyday goods can make a big difference. Glasgow-based artist ID Campbell tells Claire how his Christian faith, and COP26, inspired him to paint three new portraits that he has since partially destroyed as a symbol of the destruction brought about by climate change. The Franciscan community of Hilfield Friary in Dorset show how their sustainable practices and carbon-reducing measures have won a gold award from renowned Christian environmental charity A Rocha UK.”

Budi and Thomas returned to Geneva, leaving Br Angel ofm and me. We attended a meeting of Catholic religious. I smiled benignly, and explained repeatedly I am Anglican and a Franciscan.

In the afternoon I walked through the exhibition hall and activity hall. I met the Bishop of Norwich, and later flung myself down on a stool to rest my feet and discovered my seat mate is a Lutheran from USA but living and working in Geneva. He is familiar with FI.

In the evening Angel and I attended a ceremony for the presentation of hundreds of thousands of signatures of people of faith calling on world leaders to take radical action on climate change.

The day began with a nearly two hours wait outside the Blue Zone venue as world leaders assembled. The cold didn’t diminish the sense of eagerness I sensed around me. To my joy I met the Solomon Island negotiators Henry Tufah, Melissa Horokou and Leah Aota. Henry had been a teacher at Selwyn College next door to Hautambu Friary, and Melissa had been a student at the school. Both knew the SSF brothers well and were well acquainted with a young boy named after me, Clark Kaekae who lived with his parents at the college. Apart from catching up on life in the Solomons we talked about their role as negotiators on behalf of the Solomons and all Island nations, their agenda for the talks.

Once inside the venue, we met with colleagues from different religious NGOs. These NGOs, like Franciscans International have a great opportunity to interact with negotiators and country leaders, many of whom have a religious practice. From our religious and spiritual perspective, we can remind them of their obligation to the poorest countries who contribute very little to the cause of the climate crisis yet bear the brunt of many of the consequences.

Then we traveled across the city to the Gorbals district, where the OFM Franciscans have their friary and where we had a webinar. Over 120 people participated in the webinar, 10 present in the room and 110 online. We were happy with the number of people involved and with the questions and response we got.

Here I am in George Square at the Sunday afternoon vigil of faith group for COP 26. Representatives from many religions spoke movingly about our interrelatedness and shared care for the earth and all her creatures.

Sunday evening I attended a Talanoa Dialogue in the Jewish Synagogue. It was a brilliant event keynoted by the Chief Rabbi of Britain. The Anglican Primus of Scotland also spoke, sharing a beautiful story about brambles. They served as an indicator of a difference in the environment during lockdown. Less traffic, sweeter, more abundant berries near his home. The message was we need to live differently so all life can thrive.

The dialogue featured Jews, Muslims, Sikhs Buddhists, Christians, Druids and many others speaking to our shared conviction that the earth is a precious place that needs our care. Radical decisions required by all world’s governments especially the biggest greenhouse gas emitters.

Great to be working with colleagues from Franciscans International. I’m pictured with Br. Angel Cortez OFM.

Our brothers Clark Berge and Christopher John will be speaking at this briefing in Glasgow on Monday, along with our friends from OFM (Order of Friars Minor). You are very welcome to register to attend in person or online.

Please continue to keep COP26 in your prayers. Our planet needs prayerful love and action like never before.

Links between SSF and CoSA have been growing in the past few years. It’s always a great joy to build new friendships with other Religious Communities.

Click on the attached link for more information:

In addition to recognising her obvious skills as a writer and author, and her pastoral sensitivity, Helen Julian’s dedication to online ministry and her prayerful presence on social media were also noted.

Pictured: (main image, above) Bishop Christopher presides at Southwark Cathedral this afternoon; (below) a wonderful selection of photographs taken from the back of the service booklet.

A recording of the service is available via this link:

Our Brothers ensured the pilgrims received generous helpings of food and good cheer, and then walked in solidarity with them for a short way along the Northumberland coast to the village of Longhoughton. Prayers were said at St Peter’s church.

Please keep the forthcoming COP26 talks in your prayers, that our governments will initiate effective methods to combat climate change and prevent further environmental destruction.