Faith-based communities in the Pacific region and from around the world have offered prayers for Pacific Island people whose homes have been affected by climate change.
More than one hundred events took place over the past two weeks as part of the #PrayForOurPacific campaign.
The Pacific Climate Warriors, a network of young Pacific Island people who are rising peacefully to protect their nations from climate change, called on faith communities to join #PrayForOurPacific on their day of religious observance between the 3rd and 11th of September.
Events were organised in American Samoa, Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Germany, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,the United States and Vanuatu.
In the Solomon Islands, over thirty church youth groups organised a combined youth service, with a national broadcast of the event. “We want the whole nation to listen to this sermon because it’s important for all of us to remember our roles as stewards of this planet,” stated Stalin Konainao, 350 Solomon Islands Coordinator.
In Samoa, the Catholic and Presbyterian communities organised activities, the Methodist community engaged their youth networks, and the Baha’i faith organised a gathering for young people to discuss the power of prayer and climate change in the Pacific.
Beyond the Pacific Islands, Friends of the Earth, Rize for West Papua, Fossil Free UQ, Brisbane Solidarity Group, 350 Australia, and members of the Brisbane community formed a prayer circle at the Picnic Island Green in South Bank, Australia.
In the United States, the Tongan Community of San Mateo, California, held a week-long vigil which culminated with them praying together at their Sunday service.
Source