14 arrested after Christian climate protest inside St Paul's Cathedral

 (Photo: Christian Climate Action)

There were arrests inside St Paul's Cathedral on Sunday after 14 Christians held a protest calling on the Church of England to divest from fossil fuels.

Following Sunday morning's Eucharist service, protesters with Christian Climate Action unfurled banners in front of the altar with the words 'No faith in fossil fuels' and 'Churches divest now'.

Banners bearing the same message were also displayed by several dozen protesters outside the cathedral.

The protesters demanded that the Church of England completely divest from fossil fuel companies by 31 December, and that it call for immediate action to address irreversible harm caused by climate change.

It was part of wider protests in London over the weekend by Extinction Rebellion targeting 'blood money' in the City of London.

The protesters at St Paul's included members of the clergy.

The Rev Canon Jonathan Herbert said: "The Church Commissioners and Pension Board rightly don't invest in companies producing arms or tobacco, but surely investing in fossil fuels, with what we now know, is almost as deadly.

"It's time for the Church Commissioners to take a lead and divest from death-dealing fossil fuels."

Rev Tim Hewes said, "The Pensions Board and the Church Commissioners, by investing in fossil fuels, mistakenly believe that they can steer these all-powerful companies towards climate friendly policies.

"After years of engagement we know it's not working. These companies are deaf to the entreaties of the church. We need to divest."

All 14 Christians involved in the protest inside the cathedral were arrested.

St Paul's Cathedral and the Church of England have been contacted for comment.

News
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster

Bishop Richard Moth has been confirmed as the new Archbishop of Westminster, the most senior post in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. 

The mystery of the Wise Men
The mystery of the Wise Men

The carol assures us that “We three kings of Orient are…” and tells us they were “following yonder star”. Can we be sure there were three of them? Were they kings? Where in the Orient were they from? What was the star they followed? In fact, there is a lot that we just do not know. This is the story …

English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.