Faith leaders on Cape Cod are stepping into a new role. Over the weekend, the Faith Communities Environmental Network invited hundreds of people into a conversation about morality, spirituality, and climate change.
The panel of diverse political, religious, and environmental leaders at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Chatham delivered a unified message on climate change: take action.
They warned rising seas and intensifying storms as a result of our warming planet are the single greatest threats to the Cape and Islands.
John Bendas, of Chatham, said he appreciated this message coming not only from scientists, but from his own rector.
“Part of my faith is the belief that you have an obligation to others…. You’re responsible for people around you. When you think of it that way, then yeah you ought to be pretty serious about climate change because it affects everybody.”
The event reflects a cultural shift: many religious leaders on the Cape say they want to do away with the idea that you either believe in God or science.