Posted March 27, 2007
A Success Story Well Worth Reduplicating in all U.S. Parishes
London churches to receive guidebooks
on reducing energy consumption
By Simon Caldwell
Catholic News Service
LONDON (CNS) -- More than 4,000 churches in London will receive guidebooks about the importance of protecting the environment and how to reduce energy consumption.
The guidebook, which was created by Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Orthodox and evangelical churches in the British capital, provides advice on how Christians can contribute to stopping climate change. It also contains tips on reducing heating bills, for example, fitting insulation and installing energy-efficient lighting.
The book also includes useful tips such as car-sharing schemes for church services and setting up recycling programs. Called "For Creed and Creation: A Simple Guidebook for Running a Greener Church," the book will be supported by a telephone advice line.
In a statement March 15, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster welcomed the book, which was released March 14 and will be distributed for free. He said Catholics have a duty to take care of God's creation.
"This ecumenical venture, led by the London churches, makes clear that as followers of Jesus we all have a part to play in increasing awareness of the damaging effects of climate change on creation and human life," said the cardinal.
Anglican Bishop Richard Chartres of London said March 15 that London's churches had a pivotal role to play in "tackling the stark reality of climate change."
"London's churches reach out to hundreds of thousands of people every week, and according to the last census, 58 percent of the capital's population is Christian," he said. "We should be making our presence felt on the crucial issue of the environment."
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