Archbishop Thabo has long been leading the way in raising awareness of the impact of climate change.
Photo: The Anglican Church of Southern Africa

[Anglican Communion News Service] Anglican youth worldwide have been called on to help determine the Anglican Communion’s strategy to protect the environment.

Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba, primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, has issued an invitation to young Anglicans and Episcopalians worldwide to use social media to let the eco-bishops know what they think should be in a Communion-wide strategic plan to address global climate change.

“I write to you today in order to strengthen our Christian witness in a difficult time and, by doing so, mobilizing the entire Anglican Communion around the urgent matter of global climate change,” wrote Makgoba, who is the chair of the Anglican Communion Environment Network.

“I have invited a few bishops from around the Anglican Communion to meet with me in South Africa in February 2015. These bishops have already begun conversations together involving an exchange of ideas and concerns, and information about the responses we have already made in relation to climate change, and those we hope to make.

“Wherever we live in the communion, each of us already feels the impact of climate change in our home provinces and dioceses – rising sea levels, stronger storms in some areas, longer droughts in others, shortages of food and clean water, waves of refugees.

“This could lead to social and political upheaval in many countries. Unless more direct and faithful action, in addition to the reduction of greenhouse gases, is taken soon, the consequences for the church and all of humanity will be even more profound.

“Our goal will be to develop a Communion-wide strategic plan that meets the challenges ahead and builds ‘confidence in God’s future’ for present and future generations.”

Calling on future leaders
The archbishop stressed that he needed to hear from Anglican youth worldwide because it was they who would soon be the leaders of the church and “nations in which we we minister in these important matters.”

“What do you want to say to a group of eco-bishops? I ask you to post a selfie or record a video on your smartphone or mobile device. Speak in English, French, Spanish or other language. If you are on Facebook visit our Anglican eco-bishops community page.”

Makgoba invited visitors to the social media platform to post comments, pictures and short videos there and see what others had posted also.

Further information about the Anglican Communion Environment Network is available here.