FAITH leaders are backing a call for Australians to divest from fossil fuels as a way of caring for the earth.
Speaking at a multi-faith prayer service organised by the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), Parramatta Bishop, Vincent Long, called on Australians to “act decisively to reduce our carbon footprint, to invest in renewable energy to divest from fossil fuels, to consume less and waste less”.
Delivering a homily during the service held at Parramatta’s St Patrick’s Cathedral last week, Bishop Long quoted Pope Francis saying “now is the time for new courage in abandoning fossil fuels, to accelerate the development of zero or positive-impact sources of energy”.
“The Vatican Bank itself does not invest in fossil fuels and it is hoped that this example is followed, not just by Catholics but others as well,” Bishop Long said.
Leaders from several faiths participated in the service.
Theravada Buddhist monk, Venerable Bhante Sujato said: “Escalating climate chaos unfolds before us every day, in every nation, in cold and heat, in flood and fire.”
“We fear for ourselves and for our children, yet sometimes we do not even know that our own money is funding the madness.
“The big banks and financial institutions are too often deeply dependent on fossil fuel investments, profiting while the world burns.
“Divesting from fossil fuels breaks this cycle. When consumers refuse to participate in destructive fossil fuel profiteering, it sends an unmistakable signal,” he said.
ARRCC president, Thea Ormerod said it is not well known that the big banks and financial funds tended to “invest heavily in coal, oil and gas mining and infrastructure, but certain banks, such as Bendigo Bank and Bank Australia, avoid this and instead engage in ‘positive impact investing'”.
Faith-based organisations have been among the first to embrace fossil fuel divestment, both in Australia and globally.
Many Catholic institutions have divested globally in the last two years.
Last July, Holy See spokesperson, Fr Joshtrom Kureethadam, explained the Catholic strategy.
“This is how prophetic institutions can live out our values and help the most vulnerable among us,” Fr Kureethadam said.
“If we want to achieve peace, and ensure a liveable planet for all, including the future generations, we need to end our dependence on fossil fuels.”
