Archbishop Antje Jackelén made history this year becoming Sweden’s first-ever female archbishop, and she's made climate change her number one issue....
Sweden might be one of the countries least affected by climate change, but that hasn't stopped Archbishop Antje Jackelén and the Church of Sweden being very concerned about it.
Jackelén is the first female Archbishop of Sweden ever, an appointment that has been received with much joy in Sweden, in the church and even outside the church.
What is extremely impressive is her determination to lead the church into the fight against climate change.
Religious institutions have a unique position to assist is shaping a world that is less polluted and damaged, healthier, safer and more secure for all. Governments often get held back by political and economic challenges in addressing climate change, whereas the non-governmental civil society sector can respond faster to the climate crisis upon us.
In an interview recently with Democracy Now, Antje Jackelén said...
"We are most concerned because, as the church, we are part of a global movement, and we have relationships with people of—Christian people and people of other faiths in other parts of the world who are already affected and ask the questions of justice. And the question of justice is at the heart of the Christian Church. So, it’s a question of climate justice, as well."
She followed with how they're also committed to leading the way on climate change because it's an existential challenge too, of what do we believe, what can we hope for, and what is the role of human beings in the world? Not destroying it, obviously. So it becomes a matter that should be approached by people of faith.
When asked what she thinks about the major debate in the United States of whether climate change is induced by human beings or not, she answered quite logically...
"Well, most people in the United States have insurance on their homes, don’t they? And the risk that your home is burning is actually not very high, and yet you get your insurance. So if you take the same measure of risk around the climate, it’s much higher, and still there are people saying, 'Oh, I don’t care.' So that’s not very consistent behavior. So, if you’re the less cautious, do get going on addressing these issues".
So while climate change may not be such positive news, it's good to know we can still make the choices to combat it, and it's inspiring to know that religious leaders and institutions around the world are starting to find their voice.
Here is an excerpt from her interview with Democracy Now...
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- The role of faith in leading action on climate change
- Katherine Hayhoe - Texas Tech climatologist and Evangelical Christian