COP 31 - Holy Diplomacy: The Role Of The Holy See At The COP Climate Talks
The Holy See signed up to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement - the global treaty where almost every country agreed to work together to tackle climate change. By becoming an official 'party' to these treaties, the Holy See holds a legal voice inside the climate negotiation rooms, shaping decisions on how the world addresses the climate crisis.
However, the Holy See's unique contribution is that its interventions consistently frame climate change not simply as an environmental or technical problem, but as a question of justice, human dignity and the collective protection of our common home.
This is what we can call 'holy diplomacy'. Governments inevitably negotiate through the lens of national interest. But the Holy See is in a position to ask a different question: what responsibility do we have to those who contributed least to the climate crisis but suffer its harshest consequences?
Moreover, because it does not represent a major economy or fossil-fuel interest, the Holy See can also act as a bridge between negotiating blocs, encouraging dialogue when trust is low.
Join our webinar live from COP31 in Türkiye on Tuesday 10 November at 6pm
Would you like to know how decisions at this year's United Nations climate talks will affect the fight for climate justice? Join our webinar live from Türkiye on Tuesday 10 November at 6pm as CAFOD Advocacy Director Neil Thorns shares insights from the COP31 climate talks. We will explore the main issues on the table, discuss the level of priority the UK government is giving to climate action with the Prime Minister present, and look at the Holy See’s vital role in championing the world’s most vulnerable communities. Register on the CAFOD website at the COP31 page.
WORLD GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS Catalogues are available today, please take one as you leave. World Gifts are CAFOD's range of virtual charity gifts that will delight your friends and family, but are also a great way of rediscovering what it really means to share the love, peace and joy of Christmas. Thank you
INVITATION TO A MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE JUSTICE AND PEACE REFUGEE PROJECT
There will be a Mass of thanksgiving at 2pm on Wednesday November 25th at St Dominic’s Church, New Bridge Street, Newcastle NE1 2TE for those who have supported the refugee project and to offer prayers for those using it and supporting it now. The Mass will be celebrated by Father Adrian Tuckwell the Episcopal Vicar for Caritas. We hope you will be able to attend. There will be tea, coffee and biscuits served after the mass where we hope we can meet up with friends and supporters both new and old.
TUESDAY SOUP LUNCH - Tuesday 10th November. From 12.30 in the Parish Centre. Warm soup, delicious cakes & great company.