A cordon was thrown around Bath Abbey after climate activists climbed on to the roof in a protest which saw four people arrested.
The banner in place on Bath Abbey | Photo © Jamie Bellinger
Christian Climate Action supporters hung a large banner from the tower of Bath Abbey on Saturday, 13th September, to demand the Church of England take a stand against the “forces causing climate and ecological collapse”.
Among those taking action was a 70-year-old former parish priest.
It was part of a day of action in which around 20 Christian Climate Action supporters also took part in protests at cathedrals and abbeys in Canterbury, Durham, Westminster, Winchester and York.
An Avon & Somerset Police spokesperson said yesterday (Sunday): “Four people arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass at Bath Abbey at around 3.45pm on Saturday 13th September have been released under investigation.
“Officers arrested two men and two women, aged in their 50s, 60s and 70s, after a group gained access to the Abbey tower and refused to leave.
“Abbey staff had to cancel scheduled tours and called police just before 12.30pm.
There was a large emergency response to the protest | Photo © Jamie Bellinger
“As the incident was at height, the fire and rescue and ambulance services were also called in, and nearby roads closed.
“The individuals ignored a formal direction to leave and subsequently officers gained access and escorted them out.”
Christian Climate Action said that at around 12.30pm four supporters on a regular tour of the tower climbed onto the roof, dropped a banner reading ‘DON’T CRUCIFY CREATION’ and then refused to come down.
“Police and the fire service attended the scene and after around four hours made four arrests.”
The day of action followed the publication of the document ‘Stop Crucifying Creation’, which has been sent to Church of England clergy in the last fortnight.
A spokesperson for Christian Climate Action said: “We challenge the church (and we include ourselves) to find the courage to speak up for those impacted by climate breakdown, to stand up to the government and the fossil fuel corporations who are hastening climate and ecological collapse and to join and support civil disobedience where necessary. In short, to be as radical as Jesus was when faced with an unjust system.
“Of course, we must also put our own house in order – installing solar panels, rewilding church land and so on, but that cannot be the beginning and end of our responsibility.
“We must speak and act prophetically and unapologetically, refusing to be silenced whatever the consequences, as we bear witness to the truth about the destruction of our God-given and beautiful planet.”
In a statement, the Diocese of Bath and Wells said: “While we cannot condone the actions Christian Climate Action took in order to share their message at Bath Abbey, which put them at risk and added pressure on our already overstretched emergency services, we do nonetheless have sympathy for the message they have shared – ‘Don’t crucify creation’ – and recognise the seriousness of the climate crisis.
“All Anglicans, in line with the fifth mark of mission, are called to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth. As a diocese, Bath and Wells is committed to Net Zero by 2030 and churches across the diocese, including Bath Abbey, are doing a great deal in order to reach that goal.
“Bishop Michael would be happy to meet with Christian Climate Action to share what we are already doing and to hear their thoughts as to other steps they think we can take.”
