Kirk Welcomes Pope's Climate Change Call

Friday June 19

The Church of Scotland has welcomed Pope Francis' encyclical on climate change.

In the 180-page document published yesterday, the Pope calls for nations, particularly wealthy ones, to take concrete steps to phase out fossil fuel use. He said it was time for rich countries to begin paying their 'grave social debt' to the poor.

The Rev Trevor Jamieson, chaplain to Eco-Congregation Scotland, said: "Climate change most effects those in developing countries who have done the least to cause it. The time has come for all Christians to take practical action to protect the earth."

Rev Sally Foster Fulton, convener of the Church and Society Council has been appointed to the new role of climate ambassador. She will support the Church's work to address climate change. This week, along with representatives from Christian Aid and members of congregations across Scotland, Mrs Foster Fulton has been in London lobbying Members of Parliament on the issue.

Christian charities also welcomed the Pope's intervention, which comes ahead of a major climate change conference in Paris in December, at which countries will try to reach an agreement on tackling the issue.

Christian Aid’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Christine Allen, said: “The hallmark of Pope Francis’ ministry has been his care for the poor. You can’t claim to care for the poor and ignore climate change. Climate change is not just a scientific phenomenon, or a political football, it is a moral issue which demands an ethical response.

“To those suffering the effect of climate change and those who feel politicians are letting them down, this is a message of hope. People of faith must hear the call to stand alongside people of every nation and work together, not letting narrow self-interest or national politics block our common need. Even more than that the vision of faith calls everyone to recognise our dependence on the natural world and calls us to reassess all our actions that damage our fellow creatures.

“We’ve heard the scientists, and the economists and the politicians, it’s now time for faith leaders to speak up.  Not only is the Pope speaking to Catholics, he’s addressing the whole world.  My hope is that faith leaders of every kind will follow Pope Francis’ example and recognise that they have a crucial role to play in putting humanity back on track towards a sustainable and prosperous planet."

Nicky Bull, Chair of Operation Noah, an ecumenical Christian charity that campaigns on climate change, said: "The climate crisis offers us a unique opportunity to change the way we do things on a global scale - to create a fairer, safer and more sustainable world for all. We hope that the Pope’s moral guidance will catalyse the faith community around the world to speak out and take urgent, radical action on one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time."

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