Church leaders need to support Paris Agreement

President Macron said that President Trump has, “committed an error for the interests of his country, his people and a mistake for the future of our planet”.

Chancellor Merkel said: “We need this Paris agreement to preserve our Creation. Nothing can or will stop us from doing that.”

Church leaders equally reacted with derision. The Vatican said for Pope Francis this was a “huge slap in the face” and a “disaster for everyone”.

The Church of England’s lead Bishop for the Environment, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury, said, “churches and other faith leaders, must speak clearly: this decision is wrong for the USA and for the world.”

People in Northern Ireland often look to their church leaders to express how they feel in difficult times.

Leaders can be a prophetic voice on climate change. They can call for a change of direction or a repentance from a path that leads to destruction.

President Trump’s decision this week will further endanger the lives of millions of the most vulnerable people on earth.

Church leaders in Northern Ireland need to be a voice for the voiceless, speak out for climate justice, and support the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Stephen Trew, Blogger on churches and climate change, Lurgan