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UK News

Bishop praises God for Extinction Rebellion

The Bishop of Colchester, Roger Morris, joined Christian climate activists at Trafalgar Square on Sunday in a time of prayer and worship for the climate crisis before moving to Scotland Yard to join members of the XR Disabled Rebels to urge police to return confiscated equipment.

A number of people with disabilities were reportedly prevented from taking part in the demonstrations after crucial equipment including ramps and wheelchairs were impounded by the Met Police a week ago.

Bishop Roger lead environmental protesters in a service of Holy Communion at the site, in an act of "fellowship", "worship" and "solidarity."

In a statement released by Christian Climate Action, the Bishop of Colchester praised God for the rebel group, saying: "When our very existence is threatened by our insatiable exploitation of this precious earth, we have to speak up and we have to take action.

"This is a wake-up call to the world. It is prophetic. So I thank God for Extinction Rebellion and I pray that their voice may be heard - for all our sakes."

Father Martin Newell, from the Passionist Order in Birmingham, who was also present on Sunday, was arrested by police when he attempted to glue himself to the floor in support of disabled protesters.

When asked why he was part of XR, Father Newell said: "I am here to help raise the alarm, to call for a profound ecological conversion. The life of God's creation is under threat, especially the lives of God's poor."

Bishop Roger is the second bishop to join the XR rebellion, with the Bishop of Liverpool, Rt Rev Paul Bayes, attending demonstrations at Trafalgar Square earlier in the week.

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