Religious Orders Urge UK Banks to Halt Fossil Fuel Funding

UK Christian campaigners protest Barclays fossil fuel financing - credit Christian Climate Action.

Eight Catholic religious orders have joined a group of 70 Christian organisations in publishing a statement calling on the big five UK high-street banks to end their financing of new fossil fuels, which are fuelling dangerous levels of global heating.

Catholic religious orders signing the statement include the Religious of the Assumption (English Territory), the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace, the Columbans in Britain, the Columban Sisters, the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux, the Congregation of Our Lady, Canonesses of St Augustine (UK) and the English Province of the Union of Presentation Sisters. Catholic charities also signed the statement, including SCIAF, the National Justice & Peace Network, and Justice and Peace Scotland.

In the largest action yet calling for change from UK high street banks on their fossil fuel financing, the religious orders, Churches and Christian organisations involved join the many charities, universities and medical institutions that have already taken action on this issue.

The statement was co-authored by a coalition of climate and Christian organisations, including Laudato Si’ Movement, JustMoney Movement, Make My Money Matter, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), Christian Climate Action (CCA) and Bank Better, with support from the World Council of Churches (WCC).

The statement raises concerns over the $556 billion that Barclays, HSBC, Santander, NatWest and Lloyds have provided to the fossil fuel industry since the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2023, the hottest year on record, the five banks collectively financed companies expanding fossil fuels with almost $25 billion.

Latest figures show that 2024 is likely to surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record, and the UN has previously called investment in the fossil fuel industry “moral and economic madness”. The expansion of oil and gas is incompatible with limiting global heating to 1.5°C, according to the UN, the International Energy Agency and thousands of leading climate scientists.

Sr Susan Francois CSJP, Assistant Congregation Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace, one of the signatories, said: “We believe that we have a fiduciary responsibility to earth and present and future generations. We signed this statement because we agree with Pope Francis that we must transform the economy from one that kills into an economy of life.”

Sr Jessica Gatty ra, JPIC Representative for the Religious of the Assumption, said: “The climate crisis is with us now; we all need to do what we can not only as individuals but as institutions too.”

There is a strong precedent of Christian organisations taking action on their banks’ fossil fuel financing. The move follows in the footsteps of Christian Aid, Sheffield Cathedral and Greenbelt Festival, all of whom announced plans to leave Barclays last year due to its fossil fuel financing.

The statement highlights that the climate crisis will not only affect future generations, but is already affecting the most vulnerable today, especially in the Global South. The signatories stress that this is an effort to align their financial choices with their own values. The signatories have said that until the banks halt their financing of new fossil fuels they will continue to speak out and consider alternative banking options wherever possible.

James Buchanan, Climate Finance Campaign Manager at Laudato SI' Movement, said: “This largest-ever call for action from Christian organisations to UK banks financing new fossil fuels demonstrates the significant concern of religious groups about the role of banks in fuelling the climate crisis. Given the leading role of faith institutions in divesting from fossil fuel companies, banks financing fossil fuel expansion can expect to lose a growing number of clients, as faith groups move their money to ethical banks.”

The statement remains open for UK-based Christian organisations wishing to sign. You can read the full statement and see a full list of signatories here.

For more information on how your religious order can divest from fossil fuel companies and switch to an ethical bank, see the resources on the Laudato Si’ Movement website and/or contact James Buchanan on james@laudatosimovement.org

Thresholds of Transformation

Thresholds of Transformation (TT) has been developed by, Monica Brown, (Australia)  Donna Fyffe (America) and Hilary Musgrave (Ireland), and was launched by Emmaus Productions in February 2023. It is an interactive on-line multi-disciplined transformative process that integrates our Christian Story and the story of the Universe with the call of Laudato Si and Laudato Deum to ecological conversion. TT has become a global transformative movement with thousands of women religious actively engaged in it.

Thresholds of Transformation (TT) is both a personal and communal invitation to stretch one’s mind, heart and behaviours in order to be a contributor and shaper of a new world order.  TT is not about changing Religious Life but from what we are hearing it is bringing about change in the inner life of communities.  TT is feeding a spiritual void, enabling/facilitating deeper and more meaningful conversations, impacting better relationships, reconnecting people to God and one another and fostering greater understanding and respect of our oneness with all creation.  In addition to this personal and communal spiritual enrichment, TT has a global concern for Earth and all creation; it’s about a new world order of integral ecology as prophetically articulated by Pope Francis in Laudato Si.

There is something for everyone in TT  – the thinkers, dreamers, poets, analysts, theologians, cosmic beings and dwellers of the heart.  Mary-Louise Petro RSM

You can find detailed information about TT on the website.

If you would like to discuss TT or set up a zoom meeting,  please contact the office at  admintt@emmausproductions.com

Guided Retreats at Buckfast Abbey in 2025

Clergy Retreat - 24/02/25 - 28/02/25 from £425

Led by Fr Gregory

“When I am weak then I am strong” An opportunity to reflect on catholic priestly ministry in a changing landscape of the church. With reduced numbers of catholic clergy and increasing levels of responsibility how can we prepare to minister in new ways and in new situations. Becoming more self-accepting and aware of the opportunities offered us in ministry today, our few days together at Buckfast will provide a shared experience to listen, to learn and to look forward.

Creation Retreat- 19/05/25 -23/05/25 from £575

Led by Paula Pearce

St Francis spent time at a Benedictine monastery discerning the future direction of his life. Why not do something similar and join us at Buckfast for these few days focusing on Creation in the light of Franciscan thought and mission.

Church Musicians’ Retreat - 28/08/25 - 01/09/25  from £500

Led by Peter Stevens - Assistant Master of the Music at Westminster Cathedral and a Benedictine Oblate

I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the angels” (Rule of St Benedict, Chapter 19) — a retreat for church musicians which includes sessions on Gregorian chant and its accompaniment, the use of the organ in the liturgy, and open rehearsals with the Abbey Choir. A unique opportunity to learn more about the role of music in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, in the tranquillity of a Benedictine monastery on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.

Women Religious Retreat - 27/10/25 - 31/10/25 from £595

Led by: Dom Geoffrey Scott OSB

The role of women religious in the church has often been underestimated and undervalued. Abbot Geoffrey will gently guide us in the beautiful setting of Buckfast Abbey to reflect, reconsider and reorientate ourselves to better serve the church in the bright future that God promises. Do join us for these few days together inspired by the Benedictine monastic liturgy, the spectacular grounds at Buckfast and our shared experiences which will emerge through our conversations.

There is a choice of accommodation available at either the Northgate House Hotel or St Petroc’s Retreat House. Please click here to view the accommodation brochure.

To book and for more information visit www.buckfast.org.uk/retreats

CCS Boundary Breaking Research Project

The Centre for Catholic Studies' (CCS) Boundary Breaking research project explored the ecclesial and cultural implications of the child abuse crisis in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

The research took place from 2019-2023. 

The Cross of the Moment

The main research report based on the qualitative work was published in April 2024, titled The Cross of the Moment. A supplementary, quantitative report, Attitudes of Catholics in England and Wales towards Child Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church, was published in October 2024 to accompany the main report.

Find out more: https://www.durham.ac.uk/ccs-boundary-breaking

You can download the digital versions of the reports below. The main report can be downloaded either in the complete version or in separate chapters.

Alternatively, you can request printed copies of the reports by clicking here.

Self-Catering Cottage to Rent in Ilkley

Delightful Arts & Crafts-style cottage in a quiet area, close to all local amenities.

This detached cottage has a ground-floor double bedroom and bathroom, two single rooms on the first floor plus another bathroom, a comfortably furnished living room and fully equipped kitchen.

There is a small outside area to the front and a dedicated off-road parking space.

The cottage is in the grounds of a retreat house in a quiet neighbourhood, and is available for weekends, short breaks and weeks when not in use by retreat groups.

For more information, click here.

BOOKINGS: Please contact the administrators at The Briery, 38 Victoria Avenue, Ilkley LS29 9BW

Tel: 01943 607287

Email: admin@briery.org.uk

Advent Preached Retreat Weekend

Fr Chris Thomas will lead this weekend retreat at The Briery, Ilkley.

Friday 13th – Sunday 15th December. 

£215pp fully inclusive. 

For more information or to book, please contact the Administrators on 01943 607287 email admin@briery.org.uk website www.briery.org.uk

Becoming Apostolic - CCS Book Launch Series

Becoming Apostolic: Conversations with Older Roman Catholic Sisters

In her latest publication, Dr Catherine Sexton seeks to understand how sisters make meaning and sense of their apostolic vocation in old age, and how this contributes to the evolving theology and identity of apostolic religious life for women. She interviewed and drew on the lived experience and narratives of a group of ageing sisters from five congregations.

The voices and theologies of this group of women religious are at the heart of this book, as it explores how sisters make meaning of their new personal, and institutional contexts, through what appear to be new articulations of ‘being with and being for’ as the foundation of active ministry.

Sisters articulated three distinct and emerging forms of ministry, through which they contend with the loss of active ministry, moving away from a task-based identity, towards one of being apostolic. These are: an emerging understanding of presence as ministry; an acceptance of the validity and necessity of ministering to each other instead of those outside their congregations, and ministry to their carers.

At this celebratory launch event, Prof. Karen Kilby (CCS Director), Prof Clare Watkins (Durham and the University of Roehampton) and Sr Jo Robson (Carmelite Nuns) will be in conversation with Dr Catherine Sexton (CCS Honorary Fellow).

All are welcome! Please click here to receive Zoom details.

CCS Scholarships and Bursaries 2025/26 Applications Now Open

The Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) at Durham University has opened applications for Scholarships and Bursaries for 2025/26.  

• In partnership with the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), the CCS is offering ONE FCJ Bicentenary Scholarship to a full-time or part-time MA or PhD candidate in Catholic Theology or Catholic Studies in the Dept of Theology and Religion at Durham University.  The award includes full tuition fees (at the UK/Home rate) and a maintenance allowance of up to the UKRI level (pro rata) per annum.

• Other tuition fee only awards, made possible by donations from the Congregation of Jesus, the Carmelite Nuns, the Hartley Trust, and individual donors, are also being offered for 2025-26.

Applications for the MA in Christian Theology (Catholic Studies) V8K607, and PhD’s in the following areas of Catholic Theology and Catholic Studies will be considered:

• Constructive Catholic Theology;

• Catholic Historical Theology;

• Interpretation of Scripture in Catholic Tradition;

• Catholic Social Thought and Practice;

• The History of Catholicism;

• Lived Catholicism;

• Social-Scientific study of Catholicism;

• Franciscan Studies. 

Full details of the awards available for 2025/26, including eligibility criteria and an application form, are available at Funding - Durham University

The closing date for applications for the FCJ Bicentenary Scholarship is Sunday 23 February 2025. New candidates for a postgraduate degree within the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University must also complete a standard DU application for postgraduate admission with all supporting documents by Sunday 2 February 2025. The closing date for all other awards is 1 June 2025.

If you have any questions about the CCS scholarships, please do not hesitate to get in touch – theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk or 0191 334 3952.

Property Sale

A religious house, located in Manchester, built in the 1960’s.  It includes a large octagonal chapel together with up to about 15 single bedrooms (depending on the use made) with shared facilities together with communal areas, kitchen and utility accommodation.  There is also a small walled garden.

For those interested, please contact communications@corew.org

National Religious Vocations Personnel Conference 2024

Message from Fr Joseph Raju Katthula CMF, Religious Life Promoter at the National Office for Vocation.

Greetings from the National Office for Vocation (NOV). I hope and pray that you are keeping well by the grace of God.

We are delighted to invite you to register for the National Religious Vocations Personnel (NRVP) 2024, which is to be held on 2nd November 2024, 9.30 am to 4pm. We are fortunate this year to have two guest speakers. Fr Nicholas Crowe OP the provincial superior of the Dominican order in UK and Beth Przybylska, the strategic project director at Catholic Youth Ministry Federation (CYMFed). Fr Nicholas is author of the famous book ‘Living our Vocation (Even If You Don’t Know What It Is Yet)’. Fr Nicholas will guide us through his reflections on how we are able to sow the seeds of vocation into the hearts of people, while Beth will talk to us about the culture of young people today. Mass will be part of the schedule on the day.

The conference will take place at Galleon Suite, ROYAL NATIONAL HOTEL, 38-51 Beford way, London – Euston, WC1H 0DG. It is just five minutes’ walk from Euston station.

Please feel free to circulate the information and extend this invitation to as many religious as possible. NRVP has always been the best place for the religious to connect and become more integrated in England and Wales.

We invite you to book your slot by filling in the form and follow the instructions to make a registration fee payment of £60. The deadline for returning your application is 10th October 2024. Please note to secure arrangements, cancellations received less than 30 days before the conference start date, will not be refunded, but a nomination for a replacement delegate will be accepted free of charge. This fee includes snacks, tea, coffees on arrival, a fully catered lunch plus more refreshments in the afternoon.

We are really looking forward to meeting you in person!  

Thanking you in anticipation.

Fr Joseph Raju Katthula CMF

Click here to see the full flyer.

New Secretary General of AMRI

Announcement: New Secretary General of AMRI

The Executive Council of AMRI announced the appointment of Gerard Gallagher as the new Secretary General of AMRI. Gerard has been a valued member of the AMRI staff, working in Communications and Membership Services, and recently served as Interim Secretary General.

Fr. Tim Lehane SVD, President of AMRI, welcomed the appointment, stating, “Gerard brings his pastoral experience and personal skills to this role in AMRI. Over the past year, we have worked closely together, and I am confident that our members will be fully supported by him as he continues to deliver on our strategic objectives as Religious and Missionaries in the life of the Church.”

Residential Events at Boarbank Hall

The Sisters at Boarbank Hall in Cumbria are pleased to announce a new programme of residential events at their Guest House. Some of these may be of special interest to Religious Sisters and Brothers, including Care for Creation (a mix of talks, reflection and activities: 5th-12th October), Our Lady in Latin (learning about the language and the music: 25th-27th October) and Hope in Health (for anyone involved in care or healthcare, to recharge the batteries: 8th-10th October).

For the full programme and more details, see: https://boarbankhall.org.uk/whats-on/.

For more information, please contact Sr Margaret on margaret@boarbankhall.org.uk.

You might also enjoy finding out more about Boarbank from this podcast:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radio-maria-england/episodes/MORNINGS-WITH-RADIO-MARIA---Sr-Margaret-Atkins-Never-Bored-at-Boarbank-e2mu0oo

Weekend Retreat at Brownshill Monastery

To hope & act with Creation – learning from the animals

• Fri, Sep 27, 20244:00 PM Sun, Sep 29, 202412:00 PM

• Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard (map)

This year’s ecumenical Season of Creation takes the theme: To Hope and Act with Creation. How can we do this?

This weekend celebrating Creation, will reflect on the words of Job who invited us to “ask the animals” what they can teach us about our faith (Job 12:7-10). In His teaching, Jesus frequently drew on nature to illustrate the Christian way of life (e.g. Matthew 6: 26-30). Pope Francis too, reminds us that “each of the various creatures….. reflects in its own way a ray of God’s infinite wisdom” (Laudato si’ para.69] and urges us to remember that “the universe as a whole, in all its manifold relationships, shows forth the inexhaustible richness of God” [Laudato Deum: 63].

You are invited to join in contemplating the lessons we can learn from animals and to find hope and opportunities for action from the examples of small creatures (e.g. ants) that render significant change.

Click here for the weekend’s programme!

Suggested offering is £ 140 for the full residential weekend, which includes all meals from Friday supper to Sunday lunch. Non-residential options are also available. Please use the form to book your place or to request further information.

Catholic Missionary Union AGM

Annual Gathering

Incorporating the official AGM and appeal organisers meeting

10th September 2024

Oblate Centre, Wistaston Hall 89 Broughton Lane Crewe CW2 8JS

An away-day with lots of time for rebuilding friendships and relationships across the CMU.

Time for prayer and reflection.

A review of the parish appeal programme.

A review of sustainability and resources. A chance to plan for the year ahead.

Guest speaker to share some motivation and inspiration.

See the full flyer and find further information here.

Becoming Apostolic

Author: Catherine Sexton

This book explores the experience and understanding of Roman Catholic sisters of their vocation to the apostolic form of religious life as they age. Based on interviews with twelve religious women, it draws on the practice of Lectio Divina to explore how these women describe their call to service and activity at a time in life when these might be curtailed by physical diminishment and increasingly reduced social interaction and influence. As the very institutions of religious life are themselves under threat, the book identifies new emerging forms of ministry through presence, to each other and to their carers.

The book is available at 50% off until the end of August. Click here for more information.

If you would like to get in touch with Dr. Catherine Sexton and comment her email address is catherine.m.sexton@durham.ac.uk

Workforce Shortages and Obtaining a Sponsorship Licence

Stone King LLP Free Webinar

Workforce shortages and obtaining a sponsorship licence

Thursday 18 July 2024, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Online via Zoom

Workforce shortages are impacting a number of sectors in the UK. Many organisations are therefore looking to recruit from outside the UK and sponsor overseas nationals in order to fill essential roles.

Join Julie Moktadir, Partner and Head of Immigration, in this session to discuss workforce shortages and how to obtain a sponsorship licence. Julie will look at the requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to obtain a licence, as well as the ongoing compliance duties for sponsors once a licence is in place.

This will be an interactive session, so there will be opportunities to ask questions throughout.

Speakers

Julie Moktadir, Partner and Head of Immigration, Stone King

Cost

Free to attend  

Date

Thursday 18 July 2024

Timings

Start: 3:00 pm
Finish: 4:00 pm

BOOK NOW

Discernment Retreat - Loreto Spirituality Centre

‘I LISTENED TO GOD’S DEEP DREAM FOR ME…’ 

Loreto Spirituality Centre

Llandudno

Friday 30th August – Sunday 1st September

Led by: Josette Zammit-Mangion IBVM and Ewa Bem IBVM

A Discernment Retreat, drawing om the life and writings of Mary Ward, to help us reflect on the choices we make. This retreat could also be helpful when making significant decisions in life.

For more information or to book:

Email: info@loretocentre.org.uk

Call: 01492 878031

Website: www.loretocentre.org.uk

Retreats at The Briery

Individually Guided Retreat

8-days (5th – 14th August) or 6-days (5th-12th) August at The Briery Retreat Centre, Ilkley.  There are a few places still available on our next IGR, led by Fr Paul Fletcher, S.J. and The Briery Team. 

The Wisdom Years – Margaret Silf

Monday 23rd September – A day of reflection exploring the challenges, blessings and fresh perspectives of our later years guided by scripture, story and our own lived experience.  £48pp to include a two-course home-cooked lunch and all refreshments.

Please contact the Administrators to book or for more information admin@briery.org.uk 01943 607287

The Distance Learning Programmes in Catholic Theology

The Distance Learning programmes in Catholic Theology, led by Durham University’s Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS), are designed so that participants can work through material at their own pace, studying equally well in any time zone and in many different life situations, alongside work, ministry, family or caring obligations. 

In addition to the Postgraduate Certificate, the Postgraduate Diploma, and the MA, students can now enrol for a single module. Students with a BA or BSc who have not studied Theology or a related discipline before, are able to apply for the core module, ‘Catholic Theology: A Preliminary Tour’ and proceed to the MA following its successful completion. The single module is also a standalone option for Continual Professional Development and general interest.  Further details are available at Distance Learning – Durham University

The CCS offer a Bursary Fund specifically to support students on these distance learning programmes – see CCS Bursary for Distance Learning 2025-26 - Durham University for information.

If you have any questions about these Distance Learning programmes, please do not hesitate to contact the CCS Manager - theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk

Please share details of this opportunity through any avenues available to you, including your local parish and diocesan bulletins.  Let’s get the word out about this great opportunity!

ROE Plenary Meeting July 4th 2024

ROE PLENARY MEETING:

Zoom 10:30 – 12:30 July 4th, 2024

SAVE THE DATE          

FAO Major Superiors of Religious Orders who are trustees or founders of schools and colleges.

Reports will be provided on the meetings with CES and DSCs concerning the Bishops’ Directives, Catholic Schools Inspection, and the Religious Education Directory. It is encouraging to note the influence that ROE is having on these national discussions.

You can email Brenda Wallace fcJ  brendawallacefcj.roe@gmail.com with your intention to join the Meeting!