England's ancient cathedrals could be in the 'vanguard' of technological development needed for the green revolution - just as they were when they were built – The Church of England’s lead Bishop for Environmental Affairs has said.Addressing the National Cathedrals Conference in Newcastle, Graham Usher (see photo), who is Bishop of Norwich, said that cathedrals can show the way in making changes for achieving Net Zero carbon across the whole Church by 2030, with a route map due for a vote at General Synod in July.Cathedrals have an impressive track record within the heritage sector, with Gloucester Cathedral becoming the first Grade 1 listed building to install photovoltaic panels in 2016.Many others have followed suit with green adaptations including solar panels, replaced light fittings, draft exclusion and in some places re-designed precincts to give greater access to green space and a chance for biodiversity to thrive.The host venue, Newcastle Cathedral, was praised for the installation of an air source heat pump as part of a major recent renovation.However, with cathedrals currently responsible for around 2 per cent of the total Church of England carbon emissions, delegates from cathedrals across England were encouraged to identify more opportunities to meet the ambitious target set by General Synod in 2020.“You have a crucial part to play in caring for the web of creation and seeking justice for the world’s economically poorest people already adversely impacted by climate change,” he said.“Every time we turn on our boiler or install a new kitchen, we are using the Earth’s resources, and we are called on to manage our buildings in ways that ensure we are not wasting these precious resources.“In the main, churches and cathedrals are currently heated by burning oil and gas, the very fossil fuels which are contributing to climate change. “It is the role of all cathedral Fabric Advisory Committees, Diocesan Advisory Committees, and diocesan chancellors around the country, to look to how to change this as we strive to reach net zero.“Installing a new gas boiler today means that you are committing to continuing to pump carbon into the atmosphere for the next 25 or so years.“To reach net zero is going to be challenging and costly. The announcement this week of £190M of Church Commissioners’ funding over the next 9 years to support the 2030 target is an enormous encouragement. It now needs to be spent wisely so as to gain the greatest impact and the best sharing of good practice.”Over two thirds of cathedrals are already part of the A Rocha ‘Eco Church’ programme with Salisbury Cathedral the first to win the ‘Gold’ award status. Bishop Graham said that he hoped the remaining cathedrals would sign up to the scheme.The Church of England’s Route Map to Net Zero Carbon will be discussed at General Synod in July 2022 following a consultation which included all dioceses and cathedrals.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has distanced himself from the Vatican’s refusal to criticise the head of the Russian Orthodox Church for supporting Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. While the Pope has repeatedly spoken out about the war, he has not publicly condemned Russian President Vladmir Putin or indeed Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Speaking at the fourth annual Religion Media Festival, the Archbishop of Westminster said: “We’ve seen a certain caution from the Holy See in not outrightly condemning Russia.” In a recorded interview with journalist and broadcaster Roger Bolton, the festival’s keynote speaker said: “I don’t think there’s any doubt at all about who is the aggressor.” The cardinal believes the Pope’s reluctance to condemn Putin is driven by his “deepest desire” to end the conflict. “Nobody expresses more eloquently the horror of warfare and its destructive nature,” he said of the Pope. “He would say all this aggression, this destruction, is abominable. It’s awful and it must be brought to a halt. But I think he still wishes to keep that door open. I don’t entertain that stance myself.”Cardinal Nichols said he personally “could not open a conversation” with Patriarch Kirill because of his support for the Kremlin. Nevertheless, he “tries to understand some of the difficulties that they’re in”. The ties between church and the “powers that be” are “quite inhibiting,” he said. “It’s easy from here to say the Patriarch Kirill should be condemning the actions of Putin and the Russian armed forces. But then I don’t wear his shoes and I’m not not under the influences that he’s under.”
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When Revd Danny Driver became the parish vicar at Christ the Redeemer, Barnwell, he used sport ministry to build new bridges between the church and the community – creating links with local schools and finding innovative ways to serve the community through sports.Danny believes sports ministry helps improve people’s lives – physically, socially, and spiritually – as well as being an effective way for the church to make new connections with young people. “Sport can bring people together from all sorts of backgrounds and unite them,” Danny explained. "As a church, it was a glaringly obvious opportunity for us to use sport to connect with new people, to form community, and to share the good news of Jesus with them.”The sporting activities at the church include a Friday night Youth Group, multi-sports activities and an after-school club providing sports alongside crafts to teach the Bible to children. “There are 16 kids attending the after-school club, 10 have never had church contact before,” said Danny. “These young people had no idea that being in a church could be like this, their perceptions of church have changed.“Part of our vision is to see young people’s lives transformed through the power of the Gospel.”A multi-sport camp is also offered to the entire community for one week during the summer holidays. Alongside sports, games and a BBQ, attendees are encouraged to learn about Jesus.Danny says that last year more than 40 children took part, and three new families began attending the church as a direct result of being invited to the event. Danny reflected: “Whilst setting up new sporting groups, we have started to see growth in the number of children and young people that we are regularly in contact with, it’s wonderful.”
