The Bishop of London's Lent Message

Is not this the fast I require: to loose the fetters of injustice, to untie the knots of the yoke, and set free those who are oppressed, tearing off every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)

05/02/08

The Bishop of London introduces the Diocesan Lent Appeal, Education for All, and invites members of the Diocese to join him in Tearfund's Carbon Fast this Lent.

It is in the spirit of this verse from the Ash Wednesday liturgy that I want again to commend to you the Diocese of London’s Lent Appeal. Under the banner “Education for All” we are setting out to raise £75,000 to build and equip a school in each of our three link dioceses in Angola and Mozambique. The three bishops are clear that education is a key priority for their people as they strive to lift themselves out of poverty the scale and depth of which is hard for most of us to grasp. I have previously suggested that each parish might try to contribute at least a Sunday’s collection to this appeal. The modest sum we hope to raise will make a real difference. I do hope you will be able to make this a priority. Resources can be found at www.london.anglican.org/LentAppeal.

Secondly, you will know that, as part of the London Challenge 2012 commitments, the diocese aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 20.12% by 2012. We are proposing three straightforward, practical steps that parishes can easily take. These are: replace conventional lightbulbs with low energy ones; turn down the boiler by one degree; and switch to a green energy supplier.

The season of Lent provides an excellent opportunity to focus on these aims. Today (Shrove Tuesday) in Trafalgar Square I am launching with the Bishop of Liverpool and Christian Development Agency Tearfund a “Carbon Fast” for Lent. There is an action point for each of the 40 days of Lent to help us reduce our personal emission of carbon dioxide.

For instance, on Ash Wednesday we are invited to begin by removing one light bulb and living without it until Easter; and then to replace it after the fast with an energy saving bulb (which will, over its lifetime, save 60kg of carbon dioxide per year and up to £60). Other actions include snubbing plastic bags, and reducing our use of dishwashers.

It is a fast, and involves a measure of self-sacrifice; but it is also designed to send a powerful signal to the Government about the importance of our shared carbon footprint and its impact on our climate. It would be wonderful if we were all able to embrace upon this simple regime and commend it to our Christian friends and others with whom we work alongside. (There is a free guide, available to downloadable from
www.london.anglican.org/Shrinking-the-Footprint.)

We need to keep before us the uncomfortable truth that the countries with the smallest carbon footprints (like Angola and Mozambique) are those most likely to suffer from the effects of climate change. This contrasts with much greater carbon dioxide emissions by affluent, industrialised countries like ours – the countries which have also the greatest capacity to change things. This, then, is part of the fast that may be required of us in our own age. Whatever Lenten discipline you have decided to follow, I hope that the Carbon Fast may be a not too onerous addition.

With thanks for our partnership in the Gospel.

The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres DD FSA