Christian climate activists from Christian Climate Action staged a vigil outside Norwich Anglican Cathedral to protest the cathedral’s use of Barclays Bank. The group gathered in silence, holding signs that read “praying for Norwich Cathedral to drop Barclays Bank.” Passers-by stopped to read the signs, take photos, and ask questions about the protest. The organisers, Jim Green and Louise Reed, expressed their concerns about Barclays funding unethical areas, including fossil fuels, and the importance of institutions like the cathedral using ethical banks to avoid supporting climate collapse.
The activists have previously held similar vigils outside charities like Christian Aid and Oxfam, which resulted in these organisations dropping Barclays Bank. They also held a vigil outside Sheffield Cathedral, which has also pledged to stop banking with Barclays. Matt Walker, another participant in the vigil, highlighted the social influence and positive image that institutions like the cathedral give to banks like Barclays when they use their services. He noted that hearing from cathedral staff that they are considering moving to a more ethical bank was encouraging, as it would align with their dedication to caring for the planet and working towards achieving Net Zero by 2030.
In response to the vigil, the Dean and Chapter of Norwich Cathedral stated that the cathedral uses multiple banks and follows the Church Commissioners for England Responsible Investment Policy. They are dedicated to caring for God’s planet and are exploring alternative banking possibilities with 12 other Church of England dioceses that also bank with Barclays. Barbara Bryant, Diocesan Environment Officer for the Diocese of Norwich, acknowledged the complexity of their banking needs supporting mission and ministry across Norfolk and Waveney. They are also engaging with Barclays to address their investments in fossil fuels, with the support of Christian Climate Action and other groups in a long-term effort to promote ethical practices within the banking sector.
Overall, the vigil outside Norwich Anglican Cathedral was a peaceful demonstration by Christian climate activists urging the cathedral to consider using an ethical bank instead of Barclays, which funds unethical activities like fossil fuels. The protest highlighted the importance of institutions aligning their actions with their values, such as the cathedral’s commitment to caring for the planet and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030. The response from cathedral staff and the Diocese of Norwich indicated an ongoing effort to explore alternative banking options and engage with Barclays on its business practices, with the support of Christian Climate Action and other stakeholders in the community.
