The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference has announced that it's to divest from fossil fuels.
The process begins immediately as the Bishops' Conference has signed the global Catholic fossil free pledge.
The announcement was made on the eve of Pope Francis' visit to Ireland.
"We are responding directly to Pope Francis’ call in his 2015 encyclical letter Laudato Sí (on care for our common home) by moving away from fossil fuels 'without delay,' Bishop of Cloyne, William Crean said.
"Our decision was taken at the Summer 2018 General Meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference Meeting in Maynooth. It relates to investments held by the Bishops’ Conference at a national level and involves divestment from the top 200 oil and gas companies by reserves within five years," Bishop Crean, who is also chair of Trócaire, explained.
The statement describes the Catholic Church's investment in fossil fuels as 'modest' but says the move is more than just symbolic.
"It is about joining the growing social movement, led by young people across the world, calling for the realignment of our financial policies to safeguard their future. It makes good sense and it is the least that we can offer our future generations."
