Bicycles, blessings and the impending climate emergency are coming together this week at a downtown Vancouver cathedral.
The Christ Church Cathedral is holding an "ecumenical blessing of bicycles" on Thursday, June 2, as part of Go By Bike week (which started May 30). Along with the blessings, there'll be refreshments, prizes and a bike mechanic to help with minor tune-ups.
It'll wrap up with a bike bell-ringing procession heading from the cathedral into the plaza.
Things will start inside the cathedral (690 Burrard St.) at 4 p.m. before moving outside at 4:30 p.m.
Leadership needed from all corners
The church says the light-hearted event is meant to focus people on a more pressing, concerning issue.
“Our faith in a God of love calls us to care for this planet and all its inhabitants, recognizing that we are part of a much larger ecology. The climate emergency demands a response that challenges how we currently are living and urges change that we may live with care for this world of today and well into the future,” says Anglican Bishop John Stephens in a press release.
Ergo, people should consider riding bikes to help limit greenhouse gasses and pollution.
"The climate emergency requires leadership from everywhere and action from everyone. Faith communities play such an important role in climate justice, taking action within their own lives and buildings, and pushing for emergency level climate action from every level of government," says Vancouver Coun. Chris Boyle, who's also a United Church minister.
Organizers note the Pope, Archbishop of Canterbury, and leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church released a joint statement last year urging action against issues like "environmental degradation."
Go By Bike week runs from May 30 to June 5.
