Four people, including a retired vicar, are due to appear at Bath Magistrates’ Court this week following a protest by Christian climate activists at Bath Abbey last year.
The banner in place on Bath Abbey | Photo © Jamie Bellinger
A prayer vigil is being planned outside the court on the morning of Wednesday 7th January, when the four are due to appear.
A cordon was thrown around the abbey on 13th September after Christian Climate Action supporters, taking part in a day of action which also saw protests at other cathedrals and abbeys, climbed on to the roof and hung a large banner from the tower to demand the Church of England take a stand against the “forces causing climate and ecological collapse”.
The giant banner displayed the words ‘Don’t Crucify Creation’.
There was a large emergency response to the protest | Photo © Jamie Bellinger
In a press release issued on Friday, 2nd January, Christian Climate Action said the following four are due to appear before Bath magistrates charged with aggravated trespass:
- The Reverend Bill White, 71, a retired Church of England vicar from Macclesfield
- Stephen Pritchard, 66, a former parish councillor from Radstock
- Emma Ireland, 41, a mental health worker from Bristol
- ·Kate Chesterman, 60, a retired university worker from Canterbury.
The press release said: “All are welcome to a peaceful prayer vigil which will take place outside Bath Law Courts, North Parade Road, during the court appearance.
“Members of Christian Climate Action will pray for the Church of England to hear its message.
“They will pray in particular for the church to use its voice to speak out more clearly against the forces that are driving climate change.”
