Christian climate activists, including several from Bristol, have been arrested inside St Paul’s Cathedral in London after protesting about the Church of England’s continued investment in fossil fuels.
A total of 14 activists out of 16 who took part in the protest, were held by police and later released, as the Christian wing of Extinction Rebellion took their protest to the heart of the Church of England’s most recognisable place of worship in the country.
The activists processed to the altar immediately after Communion at a Eucharist service on Sunday, and faced the congregation holding banners with the words ‘No Faith in Fossil Fuels’ and ‘Churches Divest Now’.
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Among the protesters from Christian Climate Action was Ben Buse, from Bristol, who is a veteran of climate protest.
“I feel the Church must be prophetic in managing its assets, its life and preaching, with addressing the climate and ecological crisis in a way that is real to our faith,” said the 36-year-old research associate from Bristol University. “We need to stand in solidarity with the suffering of the Earth and people,” he added.
Around 50 protesters remained outside St Paul’s Cathedral while 16 staged the protest inside. The police were called and arrested 14 of the protesters from in front of the altar, with the Church of England receiving widespread criticism for calling in the police and getting the protesters arrested.
Among those arrested were two members of the clergy. Rev Canon Jonathan Herbert said the Church of England should stop investing in the fossil fuel industry - it is estimated that the Church of England dioceses, commissioners and pensions board currently hold investments worth around £70 million in fossil fuel companies, and so far only three dioceses have announced they will stop and take their money out of those investments.
“The Church Commissioners and Pension Board rightly don’t invest in companies producing arms or tobacco, but surely investing in fossil fuels, with what we now know, is almost as deadly. It’s time for the Church Commissioners to take a lead and divest from death-dealing fossil fuels,” said Rev Canon Herbert.
Rev’d Tim Hewes, 71, was another who took part in the protest. “The Pensions Board and the Church Commissioners, by investing in fossil fuels, mistakenly believe that they can steer these all-powerful companies towards climate friendly policies,” he said. “After years of engagement we know it’s not working. These companies are deaf to the entreaties of the church. We need to divest,” he added.
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