London: CoE Church Commissioners invited to join divestment party

Hannah Martin & Westley Ingram hand over invite

Members of the new direct action group, Christian Climate Action, visited the headquarters of the Church of England on Friday to invite the Church Commissioners to a divestment party. The party is to be held on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral next Saturday to celebrate the growing number of churches and faith organisations around the world showing leadership on climate action and divesting from fossil fuels.

The group turned up at Church House with balloons and a large party invitation, informing the Church Commissioners, who make investment decisions for the Church of England, about the event, and encouraging them to join the party.

Hannah Martin, of Christian Climate Action, said: "'We are throwing this party because we are excited that so many churches around the world are showing prophetic leadership by divesting from fossil fuels. Among others, the World Council of Churches, the Church of Sweden, Quakers in Britain, the Uniting Church in Australia, the Uniting Church of Christ in the US and six Anglican dioceses in New Zealand have committed to divest from fossil fuels. And the numbers keep on growing! In the last two weeks, these Churches have been joined by the Anglican dioceses of Perth and Canberra in Australia and the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. We would love the Church of England to join the party."

The party will be a family friendly event, with cakes, party games, songs and speakers, and will run from 1 – 2.30pm on Saturday, 25 October, on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral in London. It is being organised by Christian Climate Action, 350.org and Divest London.

Speaking after delivering the invitation, Westley Ingram, also a member of the group, said: "The Church has often spoken of peace on earth, care for creation and solidarity with the poor but has just as often been slow to put its money where its mouth is. It is the poor abroad and at home who will suffer most if we do not respond creatively, courageously and faithfully to the looming climate catastrophe. We know that we need to leave 80% of the world’s fossil fuel reserves in the ground to be in with a chance of stopping the global temperature rise of 2°C. That means we need to stop financing the extraction of fossil fuels now."

"Like a prodigal son, the world is waking up to the position it is in," continued Westley, "Churches around the world are showing a lead by moving their funds away from fossil fuel companies. This party has already started. We, the repentant little brothers and sisters, are here to invite the Church Commissioners to join the party."