Lord Deben, former Chairman of the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee, will deliver a flagship lecture at Ampleforth College later this year.
The lecture is a joint initiative between the Catholic Union, The Ampleforth Society and Ampleforth College. It will take place on Friday 1 March at Ampleforth College, the independent Catholic school in North Yorkshire.
Lord Deben has been a Conservative peer since 2010. He served as Environment Secretary under John Major and until June 2023 was Chairman of the Climate Change Committee.
He will use his lecture to talk about the Gospel Imperative for Climate Action. Lord Deben previously addressed members of the Catholic Union in a webinar during the pandemic, but this event will give people the opportunity to hear from him in person.
The event will bring together a wide section of the Catholic community with a passion for saving the planet as highlighted in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si encyclical on caring for our common home.
Peter Roberts, Headmaster of Ampleforth, comments: “We are delighted that Lord Deben will be addressing the Ampleforth community. His wealth of experience and insight into arguably the most important issue facing this, and future generations, will be of interest to all. Stewardship is a core tenet of our Benedictine ethos at Ampleforth College, where our staff and students are inspired by the Holy Father’s call to act. The importance of stewardship of the natural beauty around us is something that unites the generations across the Ampleforth family. We look forward to the event and welcoming guests”.
Nigel Parker, Catholic Union Director, comments: “The Catholic Union is dedicated to the defence of Catholic values in Parliament and public life as well as the promotion of the common good. We could not want for a better speaker at this joint event in the splendour of Ampleforth”.
Lord Stafford, Chair of Trustees of The Ampleforth Society, comments: “As a global community of Old Amplefordians, parents and friends of Ampleforth we have all been inspired by the beauty of the natural environment at Ampleforth and many members of the Ampleforth Society are advocates for sustainability and preservation of the environment. To hear such a respected speaker address this important issue will be of great interest for our members and guests.”
The event will be held at Ampleforth and will also be live streamed. To book your ticket for this event please visit the website of the Ampleforth Society.