Pilgrimage theologies

​Members of the European Green Pilgrimage Network share a conviction that caring for the environment is a religious responsibility. Many have started with defining their faith’s theology of the environment, explaining how the traditional teachings of their religion show it is important to engage with green issues.
 
Drawing up a theology outlining the reason for engagement in green pilgrimage is the first step in giving pilgrims a message of environmental care.

​It is the reason behind a commitment to make faith buildings or celebrations or festivals greener, and it is the motivation to engage with secular groups to work together on greening pilgrimage cities and places. Here are some examples of green pilgrimage theologies.

'Allah has made Muslims to be His stewards on earth. What more noble and authentic expression of the Da'wa process could there be than serving Allah's beautiful and precious creation through environmental activism?'
 
​– Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, Dean
of Cambridge Muslim College

Armenian Apostolic Church

'We join our efforts in safeguarding the creation and call upon the whole mankind to take care of the nature the way our Heavenly Father takes care of His flock.'
​

• Armenian Apostolic Church Theological Statement

Baha'i 

'So central is the role of pilgrimage in a person’s spiritual development that Bahá’u’lláh made it an obligation to be performed at least once in the lifetime of any believer financially able to make the journey.' 

• Bahá’í Theological Statement​

Church of Scotland

The Spirit of the risen Christ often comes to us when we break free from familiar patterns and anticipate gifts that come to us unbidden, unanticipated and outside our zones of comfort and familiarity.'

• Church of Scotland Theological Statement

Coptic Orthodox Church

'In considering the environment, we find ourselves in a very real partnership, not merely with human organisations and bodies, but with the Creator and Master Craftsman Himself.' 

• Coptic Orthodox Church Theological Statement​

Franciscan

'Pilgrimage is at the heart of Franciscan spirituality, as an Order of Friars we are dedicated to spreading the Word of God through our lives of poverty, chastity and obedience.'

• Franciscan Theological Statement

Hinduism

'We believe that our life is a sacred journey and we are all pilgrims on planet earth... As Hindus, how we follow the pilgrims’ way is more important than the actual destination.'

• Hindu Theological Statement

Lutheran Church, Norway

'Following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should walk as pilgrims through this world and life, learning about trust in God’s providence, as St. Matthew’s Gospel tells us.'

• Lutheran Church, Norway, Theological Statement​

Islam

'Allah the Exalted, the Merciful, the Creator, and the Sustainer, has created a green beautiful planet Earth in absolute perfection for a purpose.'
​

• Muslim Theological Statement​

St Albans, Church of England

'A pilgrimage that we make to a holy place like St Albans is an acted symbol of this hopeful journey that we make with and towards God, and it is this to which St Albans has born witness from its very beginning.'

• ​St Albans, Church of England, Theological Statement​

With thanks to Creative Commons photographers. Picture credit, top: Our Lady of Guadaloupe in Lourdes: Fr Lawrence Lew, OP