A NEW Bank Well campaign to assist churches to change to banks that avoid investment in fossil fuels was launched last week.
The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams had just welcomed several cathedrals’ decisions to maneuver their banking because of this. It was “good news”, he said, “that so many cathedrals have already signalled their willingness to alter to more ethically grounded banking options”.
Christian Climate Action, which has been campaigning on the problem, had previously announced commitments by Durham, Southwark, Truro, and Worcester Cathedrals (News, 18 February). Bank Well is an offshoot of the JustMoney Movement’s Just Love Network.
A co-chair of the organisation, Tim Lornie, said: “This is a matter of discipleship, of aligning our financial practice with our faith ethic as a prophetic act against injustice. This is reason itself to act, as we aim to bring our whole lives according to God’s good will for the world.”
The other co-chair, Matt Ceaser, said: “We recognise that churches have particular needs that limit their decisions, but there are greener options available. Bank Well may also help your church consider the perfect solution to look after creation through its financial footprint, and the more noise we will make in regards to the needs of climate-conscious churches, the more options will come forth.”
Lord Williams also spoke in regards to the impact that religious institutions could have, “even in a society that’s less openly religious than it was. The standards of vision and hope that they set matter to everyone. It could be wonderful to see more joining on this witness.”
