Archbishop Justin Welby has recently faced criticism for his extensive travel, earning the nickname “Archbishop of Airmiles” due to his frequent international flights while simultaneously urging his congregations to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
As he prepares for upcoming trips to Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, and Costa Rica, having just returned from Zanzibar, his travel activities have sparked a debate among Church of England officials and parishioners.
The Scope of Welby’s Travels
Analysis by the Daily Mail reveals that by the end of next month, Archbishop Welby will have traveled at least 48,000 miles on ten trips since last September.
These journeys, which include destinations such as the Middle East, New York, Rome, and the Caucasus, have significantly increased his carbon footprint, with an estimated addition of at least 15 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
This figure does not account for the emissions generated by his traveling entourage, suggesting the true environmental impact may be even higher.
Contradictions with the Church’s Net Zero Strategy
The Church of England has set an ambitious target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, moving the deadline forward from the original 2045 goal. To meet this target, parishes have been encouraged to replace gas and oil boilers with heat pumps and solar panels and to divest from fossil fuels.
Critics argue that Archbishop Welby’s frequent flights are incompatible with this strategy, undermining the Church’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
Criticism from Within the Church
A senior church official expressed frustration with Archbishop Welby’s travel schedule, noting the challenges facing his own diocese, including a significant decline in attendance, particularly among young people.
“It seems quite extraordinary that the Archbishop chooses to spend so much time away when there is so much going wrong at home,” the official stated.
Reverend Marcus Walker, chairman of the Save Our Parish Network, echoed these concerns, questioning the necessity of some of Welby’s trips.
“If we are making compromises on the Archbishop’s air travel, perhaps we should compromise for parishes struggling to replace their boilers?” he suggested.
Walker acknowledged the importance of Welby’s visit to Armenia to support oppressed Christians but questioned whether his extensive travel was more characteristic of an NGO leader than the head of the Church.
Defense from Lambeth Palace
Despite the criticism, Lambeth Palace has robustly defended Archbishop Welby’s travel, arguing that his efforts to combat climate change and support Christians worldwide are not mutually exclusive.
A source close to Lambeth Palace explained, “Nobody wants a global church leader just sitting behind a desk at Lambeth Palace pushing paper around – the whole point of the job is being with people.”
Lambeth Palace also highlighted that Archbishop Welby typically flies economy class unless on long-haul flights.
They emphasized his duty to visit Anglicans in regions of great suffering, including Gaza, the West Bank, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Impact on Church Resources
The Church of England’s push towards net zero has placed additional strain on parishes already dealing with declining attendance and financial pressures.
The recent announcement of a £100 million slavery reparations fund, with calls for this to be increased to £1 billion, has further complicated the Church’s financial situation.
In response to these challenges, some churches have sought innovative, albeit controversial, methods of generating income, such as hosting events like the “Rave in the Nave” at Canterbury Cathedral.
Conclusion
The criticism directed at Archbishop Welby underscores the tension between his role as a global church leader and the Church of England’s environmental commitments.
While his extensive travel aims to support Anglicans worldwide, it also raises questions about the consistency of his environmental advocacy.
As the Church strives to meet its ambitious net zero targets, balancing these priorities will be crucial in maintaining both credibility and effectiveness.
Religion News