On Wednesday 23 July 2025, the Church Leaders (Archbishop John McDowell, Rev Dr Trevor Gribben, Rev Alan Wardlow and Archbishop Eamon Martin) visited Lough Neagh and Coney Island for a day of listening, reflection and witness, focusing on the deepening ecological crisis affecting the largest freshwater lake in these islands.
During the visit, Archbishop Eamon Martin spoke powerfully about the human and spiritual cost of the environmental degradation that has devastated traditional eel fishing in the area. “For the first time in generations, eel fishing has been suspended,” he noted, “not because of legislation, but because export markets rejected the eels due to poor fat content, likely a result of Lough Neagh’s ecological deterioration. For many families, a centuries‑old way of life has come to an abrupt and painful end.”
This joint action of Church Leaders challenges faith communities to “put out into the deep” — not only to see the crisis clearly, but to act together across denominations and sectors in stewardship and prophetic solidarity. The leaders recognised the urgent need to listen to local communities and protect the vulnerable ecosystems upon which so many livelihoods and traditions depend.
This visit forms part of the Church Leaders’ ongoing commitment to deepen their shared Christian witness on issues of environmental justice and care for creation.
See Archbishop Martin’s message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jLclZlyBO8
Info about Season of Creation
The Season of Creation is an annual Christian observance that takes place from September 1st to October 4th. It is a time when Christians around the world come together to pray, reflect, and take action on caring for the environment and addressing ecological concerns. The observance begins on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (September 1st) and concludes on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4), the patron saint of ecology in the Catholic tradition. The Season encourages prayer, education, and advocacy for environmental stewardship. Read more about the Season of Creation » More here: www.seasonofcreation.org