“Faiths Together for Climate Justice and Peace”  Launch event

On Thursday, 13th June, “Faiths Together for Climate Justice and Peace” held a launch event in the beautifully restored Belfast City Council’s 2 Royal Avenue Community and Cultural Hub.

The gathering was a development of the collaboration initiated last November when several groups came together around the issue of climate justice and the “Join the Dots Together” network[1] was born. With the objective of highlighting “Season of Creation”, a time[2] when all Christians, members of all Religions and people of good will are invited to make a special effort to care for creation, a series of events has been organized from 19th-21st September in Belfast, with a focus on International Day of Peace[3] and on the back of the visit to Northern Ireland of Martin Palmer[4], renowned environmentalist.

Juanita Majury from the Focolare Movement opened the event by welcoming attendees and highlighting the importance of the International Day of Peace (21st September), which falls within the Season of Creation. She emphasized the interconnected efforts of various groups working together to care for creation and our planet.

In his keynote address, Rev. Dr. Allen Sleith, Minister of Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, Stewardship of Creation Agent for the Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian Representative on Eco Congregation Ireland, reflected on the transformation of the 2 Royal Avenue building, from a site of devastation in the late 1980s to a vibrant community hub today. This, he suggested, was evidence of the Divine Spirit at work within and among us. He then addressed the multiple crises our world faces, from political uncertainties and security threats to ongoing conflicts and pervasive poverty. These challenges, he argued, often lead to fear and a sense of loss. Rev. Dr. Sleith highlighted five pivotal revolutions in human history:

  1. Agricultural Revolution: Around 10,000 BCE, humanity transitioned from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming communities, improving security and well-being.
  2. Industrial Revolution: From 1750 to the mid-18th century, mechanization and mass production revolutionized societies, bringing prosperity but also creating challenges.
  3. Digital Revolution: The 1950s and 1960s saw the rise of computers, IT and the internet, fundamentally changing communication and economic systems.
  4. Ecological Revolution: Increased awareness of environmental issues has highlighted the need to protect our planet.
  5. Religious Revolution: From a Judeo-Christian perspective, this revolution calls for a harmonious relationship with all creation, embodying the teachings of Jesus about love, justice, and peace.

Rev. Dr. Sleith urged attendees to find the “sweet spot” where ecological and religious revolutions intersect, fostering a model of humanity that is generous, just, and peaceful. He emphasized the importance of a balanced lifestyle, reflecting on the cycles of harvest and Lent as metaphors for abundance and restraint.

Commenting on Rev. Dr. Sleith’s thought provoking talk, Juanita said that it set the context for the collaborative efforts of the faiths community in addressing climate justice. She emphasized the importance of the upcoming Season of Creation and the International Day of Peace including the Faith Leaders’ Call for a Global Day of Action to endorse a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty[5], as opportunities for further action and collaboration.

A presentation then ensued about the events planned for September:

Eleanor Duff from the Corrymeela Peace and Justice Group, spoke about the one day Conference entitled “Peace, Justice and Care for the Earth” which will take place on Thursday 19th September in the Corrymeela Centre in Ballycastle. Speakers include Martin Palmer, Rick Battarbee[6] and John Barry[7].

Anne Marie Duffy, Chairperson of Down & Connor Diocese Laudato Sì Commission and member of Ephata Laudato Sì Group, announced the “Our Voices Matter” – Youth and Politicians Forum on 20th September  at Queen’s University Belfast, where young people will engage with politicians on climate justice issues.

Hazel Baird, Secretary of the Methodist Church in Ireland’s Council on Social Responsibility introduced the “Land and Lough” event on 20th September (19.30-21.00) in Glengormley Methodist Church – a forum on  sustainable farming and environmental stewardship with Martin Palmer, the Ulster Farmers’ Union and moderator Louise Cullen, BBC Agriculture and Environment Correspondent.

Edwin Graham of the NI Inter Faith Forum, highlighted the multi-faith conference “Faiths Together for Climate Justice and Peace” on 21st September (10.00-13.00), featuring interfaith perspectives on climate action and keynotes from Martin Palmer and other prominent speakers.

Jonny Clark, Corrymeela Programme Manager for Public Theology, concluded with an invitation to the “Celebration of Difference” event on 21st September (19.30 start)  at St. Anne’s Cathedral, emphasizing the importance of celebrating diversity and shaping moral imagination.

Fr. Piaras Jackson from the Belfast Jesuit Centre, then demonstrated the new “Join the Dots Together” website[8] and online calendar which will provide resources for ongoing collaboration.

Concluding, Juanita encouraged attendees to engage with their local communities and faith groups in climate action during the entire Season of Creation.

The “Faiths Together For Climate Justice and Peace” launch event set a powerful precedent for interfaith collaboration and action, marking the continuation of a concerted effort to address climate justice through faith and community.

ENDS

[1] “Join the Dots Together” Steering Group memebrs: A Rocha, Belfast Jesuit Centre, Clonard Peace Ministry, Corrymeela, Down & Connor Laudato Sì Commission, Ephata Laudato Sì, Focolare, Inter-Faith Forum, Redemptorist Youth Ministry, Trocaire, Ulster University Chaplaincy, Youth Link NI

[2] 1st September-4th October, www.seasonofcreation.org

[3] The International Day of Peace, 21st September, was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. The 2024 theme is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”.

[4] Martin Palmer is the Founding President of FaithInvest, having established the organisation in 2019 and been its inaugural Chief Executive. Previously, he was the Secretary General of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), founded with HRH Prince Philip in 1995 to help faiths develop environmental and conservation projects based on their own beliefs and practices. Martin is an international specialist on all major faiths and religious traditions and cultures. He is the author and editor of more than 20 books on religious and environmental topics.

[5] https://fossilfueltreaty.org/faith-season-of-creation

[6] Rick Battarbee, Emeritus Professor in Environmental Change at University College London. Since retiring he has been Editor-in-Chief of Biology Letters and a Trustee of the Freshwater Biological Association.

[7] John Barry, Professor of Green Political Economy at Queen’s University

[8] www.jointhedotstogether.org

Graphics by Colum Marks, Photos by Cheryl Meban

   


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