Activists Face Court After Protest at Bath Abbey
In a bold statement against climate inaction, four members of Christian Climate Action (CCA) are scheduled to appear at Bath Magistrates Court. This follows their dramatic protest which involved unveiling a banner from the heights of Bath Abbey.
The eye-catching banner, with the message “Don’t Crucify Creation,” signaled the start of CCA’s intensified endeavor urging the Church of England to take significant steps in addressing climate change.
The group includes Bill White, 71, a retired vicar from the Church of England, Stephen Pritchard, 66, a former parish councillor, Emma Ireland, 41, who works in mental health, and Kate Chesterman, 60, a retired university employee. They face charges of aggravated trespass after staging a protest on the bell tower’s roof.
Rev Bill White defended their demonstration, stating, “As Jesus did in his context, Christian Climate Action calls on the Church to tackle the corrupt powers and injustices of our time. The Church of England is doing much to get its own house in order, including its Net Zero by 2030 target, and for that we are thankful.”
He further emphasized the need for the Church to “speak truth to power unapologetically” and urged for a stronger stance against the “greed and selfishness” of major entities contributing to the crisis. “Christian Climate Action calls on the Church of England to speak out more clearly, rebuking businesses, media and government who are spreading misinformation and continuing to cause emissions to rise.”
Last year, the Church of England pledged £190 million over multiple three-year periods to work towards its Net Zero ambitions.
Nonetheless, the Church’s efforts have not been without criticism. Many parishes struggle financially to implement eco-friendly heating systems, and the resulting red tape has left some older parishes facing prolonged periods without heating. This has led some to defy church regulations to ensure parishioners, notably the elderly, remain warm.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
