Cycling for climate justice: a pilgrimage for the planet

Étienne Eason, a Concordia University student and member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Montreal, coordinated the event. He shared that the idea emerged from conversations following the Season of Creation. “We wanted to do something that reflects our identity as a church,” Eason said. “A pilgrimage felt right – it is spiritually meaningful and aligns with our message. Traveling to Ottawa, the nation’s capital, by bike was a way to embody the change we are calling for.”

Climate justice intersects with many issues

The group included participants from various Christian traditions – Lutherans, Anglicans, Catholics, Quakers, Wesleyans – as well as non-denominational and non-religious individuals. This diversity enriched the experience and fostered interfaith dialogue.

Eason emphasized the urgency of climate action: “The climate crisis intersects with so many issues – poverty, food insecurity, housing. We often think of creation as something separate from us, but we are part of it. When creation suffers, we suffer.”