Press Releases18 Nov 15

National Day of Prayer for Climate Justice & Ecumenical Prayer Service

Eco–Congregation Ireland, Christian Aid and Trócaire are encouraging people from all denominations to pray for the upcoming UN Climate Summit, otherwise known as COP21, that is due to take place in Paris from 30th November to 11th December 2015.

The three organisations are hosting a National Ecumenical Prayer Service in preparation for the summit in the presence of Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins on Wednesday 25th November at 7.30pm in St Teresa’s, Clarendon Street, Dublin.

Music at the service will be provided by the Clarendon Street Choir and poet John F Deane will read two of his poems, including one written specially for the occasion. A time of reflection will be led by Nellie McLaughlin RSM whose recent book, Life’s Delicate Balance (Veritas), was written in response to Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si – On Care for Our Common Home.

A National Day of Prayer will take place on the eve of the summit – 29th November – and it is hoped that all church services throughout the country that day will include a prayer for the successful outcome of the climate summit. Suitable prayers can be found on the Eco–Congregation Ireland (ECI) website.

Encouraging people from all denominations to take part in this initiative, which has been endorsed by the Irish Council of Churches, ECI Chairperson Ven Andrew Orr said: “The COP 21 climate summit represents a real moment of opportunity for world leaders to come up with an enforceable, sustainable programme for reducing carbon emissions, which will be necessary to keep global temperature rise under two degrees Celsius.

“Christians everywhere need to be people of both prayer and action in the run up to these talks. Pressure has to be put on politicians to make this summit meaningful and this will happen if we make our voices heard. At the same time, our prayers help us to stand in solidarity with all life on our planet and especially the poorest communities most affected by climate change. By joining our intercessions with our actions, we become part of the answer to our own prayers. Please join us in making a real difference.”

People are also encouraged to take part in the People’s Climate Marches that will take place in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Galway on 29th November. See www.stopclimatechaos.ie for further details.