The Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church joined faith leaders from across Scotland today at a vigil in George Square for COP26, organised by Interfaith Scotland.

As part of the event the Primus participated in the first public reading of the Glasgow Multi Faith declaration, alongside Bishop Brian McGee, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Interreligious dialogue; Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, Chair of Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network; and Imam Sayed Razawi, Chief Imam, Director General of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society.

Commenting, Bishop Mark said: “It was a privilege to join with our brothers and sisters of faith from across Scotland in praying for the success of COP26, and holding vigil together as people of faith who’s individual faiths, despite their many differences, all hold firm to the belief that our planet is a gift, and that it is our duty to care for it.”

The address from the Primus can be watched on the YouTube link below.

The Glasgow Multi Faith Declaration, signed by over 50 faith leaders, including the Primus and the Rev Bonnie  calls for those in power to put the 2015 Paris Agreement into effect. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted by 196 parties at COP21 in Paris.

The Declaration stresses that urgent action is needed to avert the loss, damage, and forced migration threatened by climate change. The full list of signatories, which includes Bishop Mark Strange and the Rev Bonnie Evans Hills, convener of the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Interfaith Relations Committee, is available here.