50+ Catholic leaders urge Andy Burnham to stop Rosebank oil field

Campaigners outside Buckingham Palace

More than 50 Catholic leaders and organisations, including CAFOD, SCIAF, Laudato Si' Movement and Caritas Social Action Network, have signed a letter calling on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham not to approve the Rosebank oil field in the North Sea.

The letter, coordinated by Operation Noah and Christian Climate Action, highlights Andy Burnham's Catholic faith and states: "As Catholics, we know that the Church's social teaching reminds us that care for creation cannot be separated from care for our neighbours. The climate crisis is not simply an environmental challenge but a profound social one. Its consequences are already being felt by millions of people across the world, including the UK, with the greatest burdens falling on those who have contributed least to the problem."

It also raises concern that the Rosebank oil field is unlikely to make a meaningful contribution to the UK's long-term energy security, as the oil produced would be refined elsewhere and sold on international markets. It urges the new Government to encourage and support green re-industrialisation in parts of the country that need it most, which will benefit workers, their communities and our shared planet.

Signatories of the letter include Lorna Gold (Executive Director of Laudato Si' Movement), Christine Allen (Director of CAFOD), Lorraine Currie (CEO of SCIAF), Raymond Friel OBE (CEO of Caritas Social Action Network), Jonathan Heard (Director of Jesuit Missions UK), Jacintha Bowe (President of the National Board of Catholic Women), Anne Peacey (Chair of the National Justice and Peace Network), Dr Austen Ivereigh (Papal biographer and Catholic commentator) and several religious orders and Catholic diocesan agencies.

Religious congregations signing the letter to the Prime Minister include the Columban Missionaries in Britain, Servite Friars in the UK and Ireland, the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, the Society of the Sacred Heart, the Holy Cross Sisters, the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace, the Daughters of Mary and Joseph, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux, the Daughters of Mary and Joseph, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, the Missionary Sisters of St Columban and the Director of the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice.

On Wednesday, Christian climate campaigners were among those who welcomed the new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh, warning that approving new oil and gas developments would break Labour's 2024 General Election Manifesto commitments.

Dr Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si' Movement, said: "I urge Andy Burnham to show courageous leadership and listen to 'the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor', which are louder than ever in the devastating heatwaves and wildfires hitting the most vulnerable in the UK and Europe.

"Pope Francis said clearly that there can be no new fossil fuel developments if we are to prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis. He warned that 'civilisation requires energy, but energy use must not destroy civilisation!'

"Andy Burnham must say no to all new fossil fuel projects, including Rosebank and Jackdaw, if the UK is to demonstrate global leadership, reduce energy bills and, most importantly, help to ensure a liveable world for humanity and all of creation."

Christian Climate Action spokesperson Mark Francis said: "Developing Rosebank would unlock 254 million tonnes of CO2, which is equivalent to about 70% of the entire UK's annual carbon emissions. This at a time when climate scientists continue to warn that limiting global warming requires no new oil and gas expansion. We have seen thousands of deaths caused by heatwaves in the UK this summer so far, and if we want a liveable climate we simply can't have new drilling."

Dr Austen Ivereigh, papal biographer and Catholic commentator, said: "Our summers of burning up and drying out are now followed by winters of non-stop rain and washout floods. It's time to make tough choices to create a better future. Saying no to Rosebank is a no-brainer."

Fr Dominic Howarth, Episcopal Vicar for the Caritas Diocese of Brentwood, said: "I wish Andy Burnham every blessing as he takes on the responsibilities of serving as Prime Minister. His knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching, and lived experience of it, could be a tremendous support to the eradication of injustice and inequality, and care for the planet. Deciding against new drilling for oil and gas at Rosebank would be a very clear signal of a fresh direction in British politics, and a principled response to the serious challenge of climate change."

Canon Rob Esdaile, Parish Priest of Woking and Knaphill Catholic Community, said: "To commit to an expansion of North Sea oil production in the midst of a heatwave that is clearly the result of human-induced climate change would be a supreme act of irresponsibility."

Sr Katrina Alton, National Chaplain to Pax Christi England and Wales, said: "An estimated 2,700 people have died in the May and June heatwaves. Surely we should be declaring a national health emergency and a national day of mourning rather than adding fuel to the fire, literally!"

Dr Chris Myers, Justice and Peace Council, Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, said: "With the climate crisis accelerating, we must urgently transition away from fossil fuels and invest in cleaner, cheaper renewable energy. We must plan for a future without fossil fuels, so no more investment in North Sea oil and gas - its time has passed."

Sr Marie McDonald, Trustee of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, said: "Please, Andy, don't betray your responsibility to respect and protect our Common Home. If we continue to destroy it, our children are doomed. Remember the words of Pope Francis: 'We have inherited a garden. Let's not leave a desert to our children.'"

Sr Kate Midgley, Trustee of the Missionary Sisters of St Columban, said: "I would like to say to Andy Burnham: 'You are becoming prime minister at a critical historical moment when the actions you take today will impact all humans and all life on earth for thousands of years to come. I ask you to take a moment before God and cast aside short term political gain and become the prophetic leader you are called to be.'"

Read the full letter and list of signatories here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hc8AMxpK7CLKaZ20WkTKGA80zOxwVgI6Mqt_DQ5kU8k/