From 1st–3rd February 2025, over three days of inspiring conversations, heartfelt reflections and a renewed call to action, Belfast played host to Dr. Lorna Gold in her first official engagements as the new Executive Director of the Laudato Sì Movement. Her visit, at the invitation of the 4 Corners Festival, brought together faith leaders, climate advocates and community members, all united by a shared commitment to caring for our common home.
The 4 Corners Festival: A Platform for Connection and Change
The 4 Corners Festival was founded to bridge divides in Belfast, bringing together people from different backgrounds to share ideas, build relationships and explore urgent social and ethical issues. Each year, it features events designed to challenge and inspire across faith, culture and activism. This year’s theme, “Home?” was a perfect backdrop for Dr. Gold’s visit, emphasising the urgent need to care for our shared planetary home. Her presence was a testament to the festival’s commitment to tackling some of the most pressing moral and spiritual issues of our time.
A Leader for Our Times
Dr. Gold is no stranger to Belfast. Known internationally for her work in faith-based climate justice, she has spent over two decades championing the urgent need for a just transition. As she stepped into her new role leading one of the most influential Catholic environmental movements, the Laudato Sì Movement, her first stop was Northern Ireland, underscoring the deep connections between local communities and the global ecological movement. Her visit took place in the 10th anniversary year of Laudato Sì, Pope Francis’s ground-breaking encyclical on environmental care. Throughout the weekend, her message was clear: faith communities have a unique and powerful role in protecting our planet and there is no time to waste.
Conversations That Matter
Dr. Gold’s time in Belfast was marked by a series of gatherings that sparked meaningful dialogue and action.
Faith in Action: Interfaith Dialogue and Awards Ceremony
On Saturday evening at the Windsor Hub, the NI Inter-Faith Forum hosted a discussion on the role of faith in public discourse, with a special focus on climate justice. This was a follow on from the event on Human Rights Day (December 2024). Peter Osbourne guided this second important conversation with Dr. Gold, Prof. Colin Harvey(QUB), Lynda Gould (NICVA), Sheik Anwar Mady (Belfast Islamic Centre) and Bill Shaw (174 Trust). The evening was also an opportunity to celebrate those working tirelessly for interfaith cooperation, with awards recognizing outstanding contributions to dialogue and peacebuilding (See below details of award recipients).
A Voice on the Airwaves
On Sunday morning (2 February), Dr. Gold’s voice carried across Northern Ireland and beyond, through BBC Radio Ulster, where she reflected on the theme of “Home?” Beginning with the Gospel story of the calming of the storm, she urged listeners to see the Earth as a home we all share, a place that requires collective care and protection.
Caring for Our Earthly Home
On Sunday evening (2 February) at Jennymount Methodist Church, a packed audience listened as Dr. Gold wove together theology, personal experience and
urgent climate realities. Drawing on her book Climate Generation – Awakening to Our Children’s Future, she called on faith communities to be bold in their response to environmental destruction. Acclaimed musician Clare Sands provided a powerful musical backdrop, adding depth to an evening filled with passion and purpose.
Our Common Home Photo Exhibition
A highlight of the festival is the Our Common Home photography exhibition, in 2 Royal Avenue. Marking the 10th anniversary of Laudato Sì, the exhibition, produced by the Westcourt Camera Club, featured striking images that captured environmental responsibility at a local level. From the state of Lough Neagh and Belfast Lough to daily efforts to reduce carbon footprints, the collection serves as a powerful visual reminder of the urgent need for action. Dr. Gold visited the exhibition, praising its ability to juxtapose the beauty of the natural world with the stark realities of environmental degradation. She described it as “a moving and necessary reflection on the responsibility we all share for our common home” and expressed hope that the exhibition would continue to inspire communities beyond Belfast. Dr. Gold also took the opportunity to weave part of the fabric being composed this week on the Peacemakers’ large-scale French knitting loom in 2 Royal Avenue.
Women, Faith and Climate: Building a Movement
One of the most anticipated moments of Dr. Gold’s visit was the discussion on the Women, Faith and Climate Network, a new initiative aimed at mobilising women of faith to accelerate climate action. Hosted by NICVA and Join the Dots Together, the meeting brought together climate activists, faith leaders (Moslem, Baha’i, Hindu, Christian) and community organisers to explore how this network can take shape in Northern Ireland.
The conversation was honest and hopeful. Many women shared their frustrations with the barriers to grassroots action within faith institutions but also their determination to make change happen. The network, which was launched in Rome last October, is gaining momentum globally, with support from Mary Robinson’s Project Dandelion and other initiatives.
In a moment of poetic reflection, Lynda Gould from NICVA shared lines from WR Rogers:
It is always the women who are the Watchers
And keepers of life: they guard our exits
And our entrances…
A reminder, perhaps, that women have long been at the forefront of both nurturing life and fighting for justice.
A Call to Keep Moving Forward
As Dr. Gold’s visit came to an end, her words continued to resonate. “The Earth is our home,” she had reminded everyone. “We need to take care of it together.”
The urgency of climate action is undeniable, but so too is the power of community. From interfaith discussions to grassroots organising, from theological reflections to practical solutions, Belfast showed that it is ready to step up. The work does not end here, it begins anew, with fresh energy and a growing network of people committed to shaping a better future.
NI InterFaith Forum Award Recipients
- Rev. Dr. Bill Shaw, Director of the 174 Trust who has worked tirelessly to increase the representation of diverse faith communities through his role as chair of the Community Faiths Forum. His commitment to interfaith dialogue has been demonstrated through his efforts in organising annual interfaith events at the Duncairn Centre for International Peace Day, as well as a monthly interfaith lunch gathering that has fostered deep connections across traditions.
- Dr. Raja Harun was recognised for his ongoing work with the Inter-Faith Forum and regular participation in interfaith discussions which have made him a valued voice for wisdom, compassion and mutual understanding. His advocacy in presenting Al Mizan – A Covenant for the Earth, a ground-breaking initiative emphasising Islamic perspectives on environmental stewardship is also significant.
- Juanita Majury, a member of the Join the Dots Together Network, was honoured for her work in uniting faith-based organisations around climate action. From successfully engaging major Christian denominations to reaching out to diverse faith communities beyond Christianity, her dedication to fostering inclusive and respectful dialogue has been inspiring.