WCC News: "Time is running out": WCC climate leader calls for church action during Season of Creation prayer

Archbishop Julio Murray from the Anglican Church in Panama and moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development delivered an urgent biblical message during this week's WCC prayer service. The Anglican Communion Environmental Network organized the service to promote the Season of Creation, with Murray drawing from Romans 8:19-22 to call the current triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification "the groaning of creation under corrupt and unsustainable systems of greed and consumption." A man pours flood water out of his house during November 2014 flooding in Meulaboh in Indonesia's Aceh province. Flooding in the region has grown worse because of climate change and the proliferation of palm oil plantations. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth Pictures 10 September 2025 Speaking from his experience in Latin America, Murray connected Paul's ancient words to today's global climate emergency. "As Christians in Latin America, our reading of this text resonates with the struggles of people across the globe who endure injustice, poverty, and environmental destruction," he said. "These verses remind us that true transformation begins with metanoia—a change of heart, a change of mind by the power of the Holy Spirit." The prayer service brought voices from multiple continents together as part of the global Season of Creation observance. Dr Koshy from the Church of South India, Jo Chamberlain from the Church of England, Agnes Lam from Hong Kong, and Rev. Rachel Mash from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa all participated, while Rev. Ken Gray from the Anglican Church of Canada prepared the liturgy. "Between the years 2010 and 2020, mortality in these regions was 15 times higher because of climate-related disasters," Murray highlighted, pointing to the devastating human cost of the climate crisis. He noted that "the most affected are always the poor, Indigenous people, people of African descent, women and children." "Time is running out," Murray declared. "Churches must raise their prophetic voices to call for policies that protect the earth, hold corporations accountable, and demand that wealthy nations, the greatest polluters, lead in reducing emissions and in financing reparations for loss and damage." However, Murray's message balanced urgency with hope. The Anglican Communion Environmental Network has created comprehensive resources specifically for the Season of Creation, including liturgies that feature Indigenous voices and materials designed for church communities worldwide. These resources weave together biblical teaching with practical calls for creation care and climate justice. "We are called to restore our relationships with God, with one another, and with creation itself," Murray concluded. "May we walk this path together in faith, hope, and love." Churches and faith communities are encouraged to engage with the climate crisis through prayer, action, and advocacy. The Season of Creation resources from the Anglican Communion Environmental Network provide practical tools for congregational engagement and are available here. Litururgical resources featuring Indigenous voices Learn more about the Season of Creation here Season of Creation opens with call for “peaceful habitation” amid climate crisis (News Release, 02 September) WCC joins Ecumenical Patriarch in launching Season of Creation with call for "ecological repentance" (News Release, 01 September 2025) Over 100 African faith leaders gather online to strengthen Season of Creation (News Release, 21 August 2025) Faith leaders invite all to celebrate Season of Creation (News Release, 11 August 2025) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland