Spreading Climate Repentance during COP-27

19 Nov 2022
Spreading the first ever Climate Repentance Ceremony

World religious leaders, led by Archbishop Rowan Williams ascend Parliament Hill in London on 13 November 2022, as part of the world’s first Climate Repentance Ceremony. The leaders were seeking to seek forgiveness for climate sins and inspire hope and action in leaders during COP-27. The event was organised by the Jerusalem-based Elijah Interfaith Institute. The last time we worked together was in India, for a meeting with HH Dalai Lama and the Board of World Religious Leaders. My role then, and my role now, was to help spread the message through the world’s media

Archbishop Rowan Williams during the Climate Repentance Ceremony

A special moment during the first ever Climate Repentance Ceremony, with the sun setting on Archbishop Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury (Photo: David Parry / PA)

H.E. Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh with Simon Cohen for the Climate Repentance Ceremony

A privilege to be re-united with H.E. Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, one of the most prominent Sikhs in the world, and certainly one of the most special people I have ever met. (Photo: GNNSJ)

A 'Beatles' moment, as the Board of World Religious Leaders ascend Parliament Hill as part of the world's first Climate Repentance Ceremony

A ‘Beatles’ moment, as the Board of World Religious Leaders ascend Parliament Hill as part of the world’s first Climate Repentance Ceremony (Photo: David Parry / PA)

The world's media come to capture the world's first Climate Repentance Ceremony

It was a tricky brief. The event took place on Remembrance Sunday, in the evening, and during COP-27. Even so, we (I was ably supported by Zaki Cooper and team) were able to attract the global media, including two of the leading newswires in the country.

You can watch a three minute video of the event by Associated Press.

(Photo: David Parry / PA)