Open Letter to Church leaders 2024

In 2022 56 Just Stop Oil supporters were sent to prison at the same time for protest

Last year, in Creationtide, that season in the church year that concludes with the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, I organised an open letter to Church leaders. I was angry at their silence in the face of disaster. I had tried to write a letter to my own bishop but could not find the right words. Then I came across a letter written by the Reverend Jon Swales, a priest, poet and pastor who is not afraid of speaking with a prophetic voice.* Please do check out his writings.

The letter Jon wrote speaks of "a dire situation", "the clock ticking", a crisis that is "here now." It speaks of the latest climate science, the reality of a wounded world. In a crucial passage it describes what faith might be for us in the face of climate destruction.

We are called to embody the cruciform—the self-giving, sacrificial love of Jesus. This love is not passive. It is fierce, active, and unyielding. It demands that we fight to avoid the worst-case scenarios and adapt in love to the grim realities that may come. And through it all, we must hold fast to this truth: love wins. No matter the darkness, no matter the struggle, love will prevail.

I'm wondering how to protest now. How shall I follow the way of Jesus in our current dire situation, now that Just Stop Oil has hung up the High Vis ? It's an emotional moment for me and for the many hundreds who have been arrested/imprisoned/injuncted/remanded/bailed over the last 3 years. We have suffered under the heavy hand of the law.

I believe that the cruciform way that Jon describes is the route we are called to travel. Love will prevail. Alleluia, Christ is risen.

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* The full text of the letter is here along with the names of those who signed it.

Nicholas - Bishop at Myra

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