Faith leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean will gather in Brazil to form an ecumenical alliance calling for climate justice ahead of COP30. Participants include representatives from various denominations and indigenous communities, emphasizing the need for financial support and the acknowledgment of the detrimental effects of climate change. Keynote speakers will address critical issues, with a Call to Action planned for delivery to the COP30 Presidency.
In Brazil, faith leaders from various backgrounds will convene to form a significant ecumenical alliance aimed at emphasizing a collective call for climate justice. This gathering will feature participants from countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, such as Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic, representing a wide range of denominations including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Anabaptist, and Reformed Churches, as well as organizations advocating for indigenous peoples.
The event will include distinguished keynote speakers, such as Archbishop Marines Bassotto, the Anglican Archbishop of the Amazon, and Cardinal Jaime Spengler, the president of the Brazilian Roman Catholic Bishops Conference (CNBB), along with the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM). Set to occur in Belém, within the Amazon region from November 10 to 21, 2025, COP30 marks the first COP in Latin America since 2014, where it was previously held in Lima, Peru.
The involvement of church leaders from Latin America is crucial for shedding light on the realities of climate change, especially concerning indigenous and youth perspectives. This engagement will provide insights into their experiences, proposed solutions, and avenues for further involvement in climate action. Critical topics to be advocated include the necessity for financial resources to support adaptation and address loss and damage, the detrimental effects of mining on the Amazon, as well as the broader implications of deforestation and heightened emissions on global warming.
During the gathering, participants will draft a Call to Action intended to be delivered directly to the COP30 Presidency. The event’s organization is a collaboration among the World Council of Churches, Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance, Christian Aid, Anglican Alliance, Anglican Communion Office at UN, Lutheran World Federation, CNBB, and CELAM.
The upcoming gathering of faith leaders in Brazil represents an essential convergence of diverse religious traditions uniting to advocate for climate justice. By addressing critical issues, including financial needs and the impacts of environmental devastation, these leaders aim to elevate the voices of vulnerable communities as they prepare for COP30, thereby influencing future climate policies. The collaboration highlights the importance of shared commitment among faith organizations in the pursuit of sustainable solutions and collective action against climate change.
Original Source: www.oikoumene.org
