THE Archbishop of York, Dr Sentamu, wearing a sulu, the Fiji national dress for men, and his wife, Margaret, gave a presentation on climate change after their visit to Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga.
Dr Sentamu described the “sobering experience” of seeing the consequences of national disasters, including a cemetery that was now part of the ocean. The Synod was shown a video with images set to the “Pacific Prayer of the Moana (Ocean)”, read by Archbishop Winston Halapua, the Bishop of Polynesia.
It included the words: “We set out on an adventure to protect our home, the planet Earth. Help us to challenge shortsighted greed. Help us to address unjust structures and practices, and to change our relationship with creation to one of care.”
The Samoan head of state was quoted: “The problem of climate change is a problem of arrogance and greed. . . We have to come up with something bold enough to allow us to say the unsayable.”
Mrs Sentamu concluded that dialogue on climate change was not easy, forcing people to confront their pursuit of wealth.