“You got us started - we won’t stop now”

LWF General Secretary thanks youth for leadership in addressing climate change

(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge has thanked young people in the communion for their active participation and leadership in climate justice advocacy.

“The youth have made climate justice become a priority for the whole of the LWF and the communion is grateful for that gift, with the Assembly adopting a clear resolution in this regard,” Junge said in a letter, 9 June, to youth in the LWF member churches.

“As I often say: LWF Youth has converted us! We are understanding anew what ‘Liberated by God’s grace’ means in view of the gift of creation and ecological devastation.”

The general secretary assured them that the LWF “will pay attention to the Twelfth Assembly resolution on climate change and will stick to it” …  and support implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement “in view of who we are and what we represent both as Lutheran churches in the world, and the Lutheran communion globally.”

He said he could imagine “the disappointment and frustration” many of the young people felt following the United States’ recent announcement that it was withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. “This development will not derail us from our commitment to address climate change as an issue of intergenerational justice,” he added.

Junge acknowledged youth participation in the ‘Fast for the Climate’ campaign that involved many LWF leaders.

He concluded the letter looking to the continuation of this work: “You have helped us to get started. Be assured, we won’t stop now … I ask you to continue contributing, locally and globally, and continue walking with and as the LWF communion of churches while we continue engaged in addressing climate change.”