Rowan Williams Challenges Faith Community to Respond to Bristol Green Capital 2015

Former archbishop and chair of Christian Aid Dr Rowan Williams launched faith engagement with Bristol European Green Capital on Saturday (24 January) with a stark warning about the spiritual imperative to show responsibility to others and the planet.

Dr Williams delivered the keynote speech to 200 people at a sold-out conference Climate Change: A Matter Of Faith, at Bristol’s’ Elim Church in Jamaica Street.

The conference, organised by Christian Aid, CAFOD, Tearfund and South West Fairtrade, combined theological context with challenges, ideas, inspiration and resources including voices and reflections from Uganda and Bangladesh on the impacts of climate change.

The day began with Dr Williams addressing around 15 of the region’s church leaders at a cross-denominational breakfast where representatives including those from Anglican, Baptist, Salvation Army, United Reformed Church, Quaker and Woodlands group of churches all signed a pledge to live more sustainably, pray for action on climate change and raise these issues at meetings of their governing bodies.

Dr Williams said: “Bristol 2015 offers churches and faith communities in the city an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to caring for people and planet.

“The world’s poorest people – those communities who have done the least to cause climate change – bear the brunt of its impact. By being part of Bristol 2015 and taking steps towards a safer and cleaner future, we can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with people around the world. I was delighted to see the strong level of support for the day and the palpable sense of urgency amongst Christians from across the region.”

With tips and suggestions including reducing dependence on fossil fuels, installing solar panels, growing food, switching to green electricity suppliers and lobbying MPs, the conference included practical ideas for both individuals and church communities.

Christian Aid’s regional coordinator for Bristol Lydia Nash said: “We have been delighted by the response to the conference which indicates the level of commitment across church communities in Bristol to tackle issues of climate change and to care for the planet. Bristol 2015 is a real opportunity to extend that commitment and to make this a year when lasting change takes root.

“Our work with partners in 45 countries across the world shows us the vital importance of making changes here in Bristol to help improve not only our immediate environment but those of communities where global warming presents an immediate and growing threat.”

Lunch was provided by FareShare SouthWest who use food industry surplus to feed poorer communities.

 

Further information about Christian Aid:

• Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in around 50 countries at any one time. We act where there is great need, regardless of religion, helping people to live a full life, free from poverty. We provide urgent, practical and effective assistance in tackling the root causes of poverty as well as its effects.
   
• Christian Aid’s core belief is that the world can and must be changed so that poverty is ended: this is what we stand for. Everything we do is about ending poverty and injustice: swiftly, effectively, sustainably. Our strategy document Partnership for Change www.christianaid.org.uk/images/partnership-for-change-summary.pdf explains how we set about this task.
   
• Christian Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 130 churches and church-related organisations that work together in humanitarian assistance, advocacy and development. Further details at http://actalliance.org
   
• Follow Christian Aid's newswire on Twitter: http://twitter.com/caid_newswire
   
• For more information about the work of Christian Aid, visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk