"Climate justice is a theological imperative"
Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli shares the sermon she preached at a WCC ecumenical prayer service ahead of COP29
November 13, 2024
The World Council of Churches invited Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli to preach at an ecumenical prayer service held on Monday to mark the beginning of the UN Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The President has generously offered her sermon to be shared, in which she urges "a deep and humble transformation, a turning back to God’s vision for creation."
"When we talk about climate justice, we are not merely asking for reduced emissions or stricter regulations," she said. "We are calling for a transformation of values—a movement from exploitation to care, from indifference to love."
"Climate justice is a theological imperative that demands we address the inequities that place the heaviest burdens on the poorest and most vulnerable. It is the island nations of the Pacific, who contribute the least to climate change, who suffer the most from rising sea levels, cyclones, and the loss of ancestral lands (UNFCCC, 2024)."
"In Isaiah 58:6, God declares that His chosen fast is 'to loose the chains of injustice.' Climate injustice, in which those least responsible bear the greatest cost, is a form of bondage we must confront with the full force of our faith, compassion, and action."
"The call for transformation challenges us not just to “change” our ways but to embrace a radical reorientation, turning our hearts and lives back toward the Creator and His creation."
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
More from the President
Vale Rev Dr John Brown AM
Vale Rev Dr John Brown AM: a faithful pioneer of the Uniting ChurchIt is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Rev Dr John Brown AM, one of the Uniting Church in Australia’s most influential leaders, who died last Friday, 17 July, at the age of 92. A faithful servant…
Tuvalu’s call: A partnership of faith, hope and action
Tuvalu’s call: A partnership of faith, hope and action The Uniting Church in Australia has renewed its partnership with the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) this week, reaffirming a shared commitment to faith, solidarity and climate justice as Tuvalu faces an increasingly uncertain future. On the low-lying islands of Tuvalu, climate change is not a…
Broome UC: Celebrating 100 years and more in the Kimberley
Broome Uniting: Celebrating 100 years and more in the Kimberley Next month the Broome Uniting Church celebrates a centenary of worship in its current church building. Wendy Hendry from the Synod of WA recently travelled to the neighbouring Northern Synod to learn more about the church and its people This article was first published…
President's Message for NAIDOC Week and the anniversary of the UAICC Covenant
President’s Message for NAIDOC Week and the anniversary of the UAICC Covenant Today, 10 July, marks the 32nd anniversary of the Convenant between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. With today’s anniversary and the current NAIDOC Week, the President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev…
President concludes visit to Tonga
President concludes Tonga visit with strengthened Pacific partnerships Following a week of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of Christianity in Tonga, Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Charissa Suli has concluded her visit with high-level meetings that strengthened the Church’s enduring commitment to partnership across the Pacific. The week-long bicentenary celebrations brought together thousands…
President's 49th anniversary message
2026 Uniting Church Anniversary message UCA President marks Uniting Church’s 49th Anniversary with message of hope and Jubilee Subscribe to our newsletter If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has…
Walking Together in Faith and Hope: UCA renews Tuvalu Partnership
Walking Together in Faith and Hope The Uniting Church in Australia has renewed its partnership with the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) this week, reaffirming a shared commitment to faith, solidarity and climate justice as Tuvalu faces an increasingly uncertain future.As rising seas continue to threaten the future of Tuvalu, the Uniting Church in Australia has…
Listening to the household of God
Listening to the Household of God Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has written this reflection from Fiji on the Pacific Church’s witness – and the call to listen, be changed and walk together Written by Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia Last week, I had the privilege of gathering…