Christian climate protesters interrupt Chichester Cathedral service that was broadcast live on BBC

Nov 30, 2023 by Jill

by Tola Mbakwe, Premier:

A dozen Christian climate protesters interrupted an Evensong service at Chichester Cathedral on Wednesday, which was being broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

The protesters, who are mostly members of Christian Climate Action, stood up in the service, holding signs reading ‘Chichester Diocese funds climate chaos’. The group sang a plainsong penitential chant. A statement was then read out and the group prayed.

The group said the stunt was their response to the Chichester Diocesan Synod recently voting to keep investing in fossil fuels.

Mary Smail, a member of the group who gave the statement said: “Eleven days ago, the Chichester Diocesan Synod voted to retain the Diocese’s investments in fossil fuels, despite the Church of England National Investment Bodies having decided to divest – because ‘engagement has failed’. It is astonishing that Chichester has chosen this path, described by the UN Secretary General as ‘a highway to climate hell’. We protest at this wanton irresponsibility and call upon the Diocese to reverse its decision.”

In June, the Church Commissioners for England, which handles the Church of England’s £10.3bn endowment fund, decided to divest from oil and gas companies.

According to Christian Climate Action, most Church of England dioceses either do not have investments in fossil fuels or have voted to divest. However, the Southwell and Nottingham, Chichester and Peterborough dioceses still do.

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