A retired Church of England vicar and three Christians have been convicted of aggravated trespass after staging a climate protest from the tower of Bath Abbey, accusing the Church of prioritising tourism over action on climate change.
Rev Bill White, 71, Emma Ireland, 41, Stephen Pritchard, 66, and Kate Chesterman, 60, were found guilty at Bristol Magistrates' Court following a two day trial over the protest, which took place on 13 September 2025.
The four, who are members of Christian Climate Action (CCA), climbed the abbey tower and unfurled a large banner reading: "Don't Crucify Creation" as part of a nationwide day of action calling on the Church of England to speak more boldly about what they describe as the climate and nature emergency.
The protesters remained on the tower while asking to speak with the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Rt Rev Michael Beasley. Bath Abbey staff instead contacted police, who arrested the group after they came down from the tower.
They were charged with aggravated trespass and obstruction. The obstruction charge was later dismissed, while all four were convicted of aggravated trespass. Each was fined £200 and ordered to pay £700 in court costs.
Following the verdict, supporters in the public gallery unfurled another "Don't Crucify Creation" banner before offering a prayer.
Speaking outside court, Rev White defended the protest, arguing that Christians have a responsibility to speak out on climate change.
"The Church of England has a five fold mission to tell, teach, tend, transform and treasure," he said. "How can we claim to tend to the needs of the disadvantaged if we're silent about the climate emergency?"
Kate Chesterman told the court the group had repeatedly tried to engage with church leaders before taking direct action.
"The church has the sacred obligation to sound the alarm and they are absolutely not doing that," she said. "That's why we went up the tower because we couldn't get the church to listen."
She argued that the Church's influence could play a significant role in shaping public opinion and encouraging stronger action on climate change.
The defendants cited research suggesting climate change could lead to billions of deaths this century if global warming continues unchecked. District Judge Nicholas Wattam rejected their defence that their actions were justified by necessity.
Christian Climate Action said similar demonstrations took place the same day at Canterbury, York, Winchester, Durham and Southwark cathedrals, as well as Westminster Abbey. It said there were no arrests at those locations, with protesters reportedly being welcomed at Canterbury Cathedral and invited to speak during a service in Winchester.
The convictions come as the Church of England continues to emphasise environmental stewardship. Earlier this month, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York published Hope for All Creation: A theological response to the environmental crisis, describing care for creation and speaking out on environmental issues as an essential part of Christian discipleship.
