Lord Deben on 'Climate Change - The Gospel Imperative'

Lord Deben

The Rt Hon Lord Deben (John Selwyn Gummer), chair of the UK's committee on climate change, told an online gathering this week that Catholics must take climate change more seriously, following the inspirational lead of Pope Francis in 'Laudato Si' and in the context of November's UN Climate talks in Glasgow.

He particularly called for Catholics to be active in their churches and put pressure on their bishops to place this issue at the centre of the Gospel they preach. The former prominent Conservative MP, whose roles included serving as environment secretary under John Major said: "Creation must be at the heart of the Gospel, but "there are some bishops in Britain from whom I have never heard a word on this topic." He felt there was "too much focus on sex than creation", in fact, he suggested, tongue in cheek, "more about procreation than creation".

His talk, 'Climate Change: The Gospel Imperative', was organised by the Catholic Union on 23 March. "The Church has got it right on this" he said, "and I am missionary about it." He told participants he used 'Laudato Si' insights even when talking to secular audiences and that they were very appreciative. "Pope Francis has brought us back to the Gospel imperatives, particularly to help those less fortunate," he said.

Lord Deben urged participants to regard climate change as "a symptom of what we have done to the world." Climate change is urgent, in his view, and we have "a short window" to ensure that its impacts - such as more severe weather and displacement of peoples, "do not become disastrous." He pointed to nomadic peoples in Northern Nigeria suffering the effects of desertification, populations of Pacific islands which are sinking beneath the seas, and communities in low-lying Bangladesh needing resettlement as early victims of climate change impacts. He applauded Pope Francis for linking issues of social justice, peace and climate change, and calling for the need "to help those less fortunate".

Lord Deben described the government's recent decision to cut aid as "a moral outrage". He also criticised major fossil fuel companies which have devoted significant time and money to climate denial. Exxon Mobil, the multinational oil and gas corporation, was singled out as "a terrible example of wickedness" for "they knew and spent vast sums pretending it wasn't happening."

"Catholics must be clear", he said, that "action on climate change is part of Catholic Social Teaching" and "this battle is for all of us." He urged Catholics to bring the issue "into our prayers and our liturgy," and preach the gospel "in a way that is relevant".

He felt young people understand our duty to the environment, and we must support their desire not to inherit a world that is impoverished. "All stewards hand back something better and that is our duty" he said; "our duty as Catholics too."

Lord Deben urged participants to remember that, "climate change makes extreme weather and pandemics more likely."

Watch a video of the talk: https://catholicunion.org.uk/2021/03/webinar-lord-deben/

and here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKIR9MZrhKs