To coincide with the Feast of the Epiphany, the Diocese of Middlesbrough and the Diocese of Lancaster were part of a press release from Operation Noah, announcing their commitment to divest from fossil fuels, becoming the first Catholic dioceses in England and Wales to divest. Their divestment announcements were made together with two Catholic religious orders – the English Provinces of the Congregation of Jesus and the Presentation Sisters – alongside nine other local churches and Christian institutions in the UK.
They join more than 160 other Catholic institutions around the world that have already committed to divest from fossil fuels. Faith institutions constitute the greatest number of organisations contributing to the global ‘fossil free’ movement. The announcement was made at the start of a key year for climate action globally, and particularly in the UK, with theCOP26 conference to be held in Glasgow in November 2020.
A quote from Bishop Terry was included in the press release:
‘With growing awareness of people’s concerns for the care of our common home, supported by the Trustees and Council of Priests of the Diocese, and after thorough scrutiny of diocesan investments and with support from Operation Noah, the Diocese of Middlesbrough has decided that now is the time to divest from fossil fuels. The evidence and the urgency of the climate crisis are all around us. However, as Pope Francis points out very clearly in his Encyclical Letter on The Care of Our Common Home, Laudato Si’, nothing will succeed if we do not begin with personal conversion, a change in lifestyle, a change of mindset.’
Operation Noah is a Christian charity working with the Church to inspire action on the climate crisis. It works with all Christian denominations.http://operationnoah.org/
Justice and Peace Commission.