National lobby of Parliament, Mass for the environment

Thousands of people from more than a hundred organisations and schools, will be taking part in a national lobby of parliament tomorrow, (Wednesday 9 July) calling for leadership from the UK government to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises. CAFOD, Jesuit Missions, Columbans, FCJ Sisters are among the Catholic groups involved, and the organisations are part of The Climate Coalition.

The family-friendly event includes a prayer vigil outside Parliament.

All are encouraging supporters to tell Members of Parliament (MPs) they care about people, climate and nature, and urge them to act. MPs will be meeting constituents at two mass lobby venues in the Westminster area.

They will be asked about delivering vital funding to communities hit hardest by climate change, tackling the global debt crisis, securing a greener and fairer future for UK citizens, and restoring Nature.

The lobby will tell our MPs: this is a moment for leadership that protects what matters most - our health, our nature, our communities, our climate, and our future.

In a collaborative programme between the Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology Team - led by James Trewby - and the London FCJ Centre for Spirituality and Ecojustice, five schools in Birmingham Archdiocese and one in Liverpool Archdiocese are sending sixth form delegates to the 9th July lobby. They are Bishop Ullathorne and Cardinal Newman in Coventry, Archbishop Illsley and St Thomas Aquinas in Birmingham, St Peters in Solihull and Bellerive in Liverpool.

They will visit Westminster's Queen Elizabeth Hall, where there will be stalls from organisations in the Climate Coalition and a chance to meet other participants from around the UK.

They will also be taking part in CAFOD-led activities at Westminster Cathedral Hall.

Bishop John Arnold, lead bishop for the environment for England and Wales, will be there for the day. At 5.30pm he will be celebrating Mass in Westminster Cathedral.

LINKS

Register for lobby at: https://cafod.org.uk/news/campaigning-news/join-us-for-the-mass-lobby-of-parliament

CAFOD Petition on Debt: https://action.cafod.org.uk/page/161357/petition/1

Hashtag for social media: #ActNowChangeForever