Christian campaigners gathered outside Lambeth Palace on Sunday to urge the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Sarah Mullally, to show bold leadership on the climate crisis.

Among them was Rev Bill White, a 70-year-old retired vicar and grandfather, who was arrested at Bath Abbey last month during a climate protest.

This weekend, he joined members of Christian Climate Action (CCA) in revealing a banner reading “Don’t Crucify Creation” while offering prayers of thanksgiving for the church’s work so far to address the crisis.

The group said they wanted to encourage the archbishop-designate to “speak truth to power” on the issue as she takes up her role.

The demonstration followed the launch of CCA’s new vision document, which calls for radical change within the Church of England to protect creation.

The paper has been distributed to hundreds of church leaders and was presented at vigils in cathedrals across the UK, drawing mixed responses.

At some venues, campaigners were invited to contribute to services, while at others they were removed by security. Four people, including Rev White, were arrested in Bath.

Mark Francis, CCA’s local groups coordinator, said the group had gathered at Lambeth Palace to “send our love and courage” to Bishop Sarah and to the Church of England as it works towards Net Zero by 2030.

He added: “We also prayed that the church would find its courage to speak out prophetically and persistently about climate change, cease doing harm through its own activities and return to its roots of prayer, confession and community.”

CCA said it hopes its vision will inspire further collaboration across the church to confront what it calls “the most urgent issue creation faces: climate breakdown.”