Climate Pilgrimage 2021: Climate pilgrims reach Scotland

21/10/21

Participants in the 5th Ecumenical Pilgrimage for Climate Justice from Poland to Glasgow crossed the border from England to Scotland on 19 October. The pilgrims were warmly welcomed by Nikki Neesam (SCIAF). SCIAF is the official charity of the Catholic Church in Scotland supporting the Global South.

After 67 days and about 1,400 kilometers, the 30 pilgrims reached Scotland on their way to the UN Climate Change Conference. Some of the pilgrims from the Swedish group "Pilgrim's Walk for Future" have already walked 1,800 kilometers. They joined the 5th Ecumenical Pilgrimage for Climate Justice in Münster, forming a joint international pilgrimage group.

The 5th Ecumenical Pilgrimage for Climate Justice unites Christians a common goal. They want to call on the politicians at the UN Climate Change Conference to take appropriate steps for climate protection and climate justice. They arrive in Glasgow on 29 October, just before the start of COP26.

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Federation (SCIAF), led by Nikki Neesam, is supporting the pilgrims on the final leg of their journey by organising accommodation and meals through local churches. Nikki Neesam, route coordinator for SCIAF's pilgrimage route, said: "We want to make sure we give the pilgrims a Scottish welcome and support them to carry their message further. With the help of the churches in Scotland, we are able to support the pilgrims on their journey to Glasgow."

Gustav Fredriksson quit his job to make the pilgrimage to the climate conference. He has already made a pilgrimage of over 1800 kilometers from Sweden since mid-July. "I asked myself what practical thing I can do and if I walk, I have more time to think. I thought, how could I be so ignorant!? I decided on the way to eat only vegetarian food and to fly less or not at all within Europe. In general, I want to reduce my consumption and live a simpler lifestyle. We should all think about changing our lifestyle," says Fredriksson.

"On our way we met people who saw how far the pilgrims walked, how much energy they have, the important message they carry and their hopes for climate change. Meeting so many people along the way was emotional and we feel supported to go all the way to Glasgow," says Chris Böer, Climate Justice Pilgrimage Coordinator.

Wolfgang Löbnitz has been planning pilgrimages to the climate conferences as route coordinator since 2015 and says: "I am married and have children, grandchildren and even a great-grandchild at home. I walk for my children. The future generation must be protected!"

At the border crossing, the pilgrims said goodbye to Chris and Clare Myers, who work for the Catholic International Aid to Countries in the Global South (CAFOD). Chris Myers said goodbye with a short speech in which he pointed out the urgent need for politicians to act now and asked pilgrims to carry this message to Glasgow. Mr and Mrs Myers accompanied the pilgrims across England for a week after the ferry arrived in Newcastle. They provided a warm welcome and meals on the route. It was hard for the pilgrims to say goodbye.