Pacific churches launch decade of action on climate justice

Catholic dioceses in the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu are among the members of the conference.

The ecumenical decade was launched at Togoru, Fiji. Those at the gathering were part of a Pacific Church Leaders’ Meeting organised by the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) from April 13-17.

“It is so meaningful to be with people, to pray with them, to walk with them, to listen to them and to know how they are being affected by the climate catastrophe,” said Dr Jerry Pillay, the South African Presbyterian pastor who serves a general secretary of the World Council of Churches.

Built on four decades of World Council of Churches climate engagement, the ecumenical decade calls churches to move beyond individual actions to systemic transformation through pathways to climate justice.

Among pathway implementation actions proposed are providing practical Climate Justice Toolkits, training “climate chaplains”, offer training programmes, arranging global climate justice fasts, climate pilgrimages, interfaith campaigns, advocacy, support for climate litigation and investment in grassroots solutions.

Reframing theology to reflect care for creation as central to Christian faith through eco-theologies and Season of Creation is another pathway implementation proposed.

“Each church can drive how the Pacific will respond to the ecumenical decade,” a PCC spokesperson said.

Togoru is experiencing severe, rapid coastal erosion, with the sea swallowing roughly 1.3 to 1.5 metres of land annually. Rising sea levels are submerging homes, plantations and burial grounds, forcing residents to prepare for relocation as traditional seawalls fail. The village is now considered a frontline for climate change impact.

Catholic bishops’ conferences of the Pacific joined the PCC in 1976 and 1991.

FULL STORY

Pacific churches launch ecumenical decade of climate action (Catholic World News)

Pacific launches Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action in Togoru, Fiji (World Council of Churches)

Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (World Council of Churches)

Pacific Conference of Churches (World Council of Churches)