Church of England Bars Climate Activist Priest from Preaching
An 82-year-old retired vicar, awaiting trial for damaging the Magna Carta's display case during a climate protest, has been denied permission to officiate by the Church of England. The decision sparks debate on activism within religious institutions.
The Church of England has recently denied Rev Sue Parfitt, an 82-year-old retired vicar and climate activist, permission to officiate in church services. This decision comes in the wake of Parfitt's involvement in a protest that resulted in damage to the glass case protecting one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta at the British Library.
Rev Parfitt, who was among the first women ordained by the Church of England in 1994, is currently awaiting trial for her role in the incident that occurred in May 2024. The Diocese of Bristol, overseeing her former church, has stated that she will not be allowed to preach, preside at communion, or conduct baptisms while facing criminal charges.
The Church's decision has sparked controversy, with Parfitt claiming it is an attempt to "silence climate protest." She expressed her concerns in a letter to Rt Rev Vivienne Faull, the Bishop of Bristol, suggesting that the church was succumbing to pressure from external forces.
Parfitt's history of climate activism includes participation in various high-profile environmental protests. She has been involved with groups such as Extinction Rebellion, Insulate Britain, and Christian Climate Action, demonstrating her commitment to raising awareness about climate issues through civil disobedience.
The incident at the British Library involved Parfitt and another activist using a hammer and chisel to crack the glass case surrounding the Magna Carta. This historic document, issued in June 1215, established the principle that even the monarch is subject to the law, influencing legal systems worldwide, including the United States Constitution.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Bristol clarified that Parfitt has not held Permission to Officiate since December 2022. They emphasized that while the Diocese supports the call for urgent action on environmental issues, they advocate for changes through peaceful and lawful means.
"We would like to provide clarification that the Rev Dr Sue Parfitt has not held Permission to Officiate (PTO) in the Diocese of Bristol since 31 December 2022. She is retired and lives within the diocese and remains a Clerk in Holy Orders. The Rev Dr Sue Parfitt recently applied for a new PTO within the Diocese. PTO is not being issued at this time based on the fact that Rev Dr Parfitt is facing criminal charges in ongoing court proceedings."
This situation highlights the complex intersection of religious institutions, individual activism, and societal issues. As climate change continues to be a pressing global concern, the role of religious figures in activism and the boundaries of acceptable protest methods remain subjects of ongoing debate.
