Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Chair of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, is calling together a group of bishops from various countries impacted by climate change.

Among those bishops will be Bishop Apimeleki Qiliho, from Fiji.

The eco-bishops bishops have been chosen from countries reflecting challenges of climate change – including the sea level rise of Fiji, the deforestation of Argentina, the droughts of Namibia, the hurricanes of the Philippines and the storms of New York, and the warming of Alaska.

The bishops are united in their commitment to addressing these environmental challenges.

Sixteen bishops will gather in Capetown from February 23 to share ideas and concerns, challenges and successes.

First the bishops will hear about challenges in different parts of the globe.

Then they will share actions and theologies that have been helpful in moving forward. The goal is to order strategies for raising the issue of climate change and environmental degradation throughout the global Anglican Church.

The bishops and archbishops identified are already responding to climate change and environmental degradation – through theological exposition and challenge, advocacy, greening churches and communities, and supporting local mitigation.

Building on relationships already established online, the meeting will foster collegiality among the bishops and serve as a catalyst for further response and activities throughout the Communion.

A report will be produced, gathering the bishops’ experience and responses to climate change and setting out future actions.

More Anglicans will understand that responding to climate change is part of our baptismal vocation.

The eco-bishops are:

Jane Alexander, Edmonton, Canada; Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Bishop, Canada; Andrew Dietsche, New York, The Episcopal Church; Nick Drayson, Northern Argentina; Nicholas Holtam, Salisbury, Church of England; David Chillingworth,  Primus Scottish Episcopal Church; Chad Gandiya, Harare, Central Africa; William Mchombo, Eastern Zambia, Central Africa; Ellinah Wamukoya, Swaziland, Southern Africa; Stephen Moreo, Johannesburg, Southern Africa; Nathaniel Nakwatumbah, Namibia, Southern Africa; Thabo Makgoba, Cape Town, Church of Southern Africa; Thomas Oommen, Madhya Kerala, Church of South India; Andrew Chan, Hong Kong; Jonathan Casimina, Davao, Philippines; Tom Wilmot, Perth, Australia; and Apimeleki Qiliho, Fiji, Aotearoa-New Zealand.

For more information contact: The Rev Rachel Mash -rmash@mweb.co.za