Christians are gearing up for a ‘No Faith In Fossil Fuels’ Lent Vigil to pray that political leaders will make the changes needed to address the climate crisis. The 10-day 24-hour Lent Vigil outside Parliament begins on Ash Wednesday – 14 February – at 2.30 pm. Columbans will be there on Ash Wednesday and then leading the vigil between 5 pm and 11 pm on Wednesday 21 February.
The event has been organised by a coalition of groups, including Christian Climate Action, A Rocha UK, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Green Christian, Operation Noah, the Salvation Army and Tearfund. Many other groups are signing up to support including Columban Missionaries in Britain, Churches Together in England team, and Caterham Churches. The Rosary will be said daily at midday.
Ash Wednesday will also see Columban support for a 3.30 pm ‘Witness and Prayer Against War’ at London’s Ministry of Defence, which is nearby, lamenting the UK government’s investment in arms, particularly nuclear weapons. The London liturgy will include prayer, readings, symbolic actions that focus on war and nuclear weapons and a call for repentance. It is organised by the London group of Pax Christi England and Wales and supported by Columbans in Britain, Christian CND, London Catholic Worker and Westminster Justice and Peace.
That evening there will also be a national online service for Peace organised by Pax Christi England and Wales.
