As Cathedral at the heart of our community and diocese, we are seeking to tackle the important issues;
- to allow space for healthy debate
- to be good stewards of this earth
- to be a voice for the vulnerable and marginalised
- to be a place of action that makes real and important changes towards a better future.
ECO Cathedral
As a Cathedral community, we are committed to caring for God’s Creation; we are a Partner in Action with A Rocha.
The Anglican Communion’s fifth Mark of Mission is
“to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.”
We have adopted an ethical and sustainable framework to guide our policies and practices. An, in-line with the Eco Church framework, we divide our activity under the following areas: Worship & Teaching, Buildings, Land, Community & Global Engagement, and Lifestyle.
Healthy Healing Hub
“The ministry of healing and wholeness is at the centre of our life as a Cathedral. We are committed to the Cathedral itself being a place of healing, offering visitors opportunities to pray and to experience hope and peace during difficult times."
In partnership with The Guild of Health and St. Raphael, we have become a Healthy Healing Hub, offering support for health and wellbeing to the local community and empowering other organisations within the Diocese to do the same.
Central to our focus for 2022 and beyond, this partnership will put the needs of the community and diocese in prime position, seeking to ‘recover together’ following the traumatic circumstances of the last few years.
"Silence and beauty combine to nurture the soul."
As a Gold-Tier Healthy Healing Hub we seek to serve as a centre of excellence and training.
ECO Caring for the Grounds
We are committing to be faithful stewards of the Cathedral grounds to the glory of God and the wellbeing of all.
Our wonderful team of volunteer gardeners have been transforming the gardens at the front of the Cathedral and introducing traditional, medicinal plants.
Download the information on the Garden of St Mary & St Chad
Working with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust we have been creating wildflower spaces around the grounds and joining the yearly Churches Count on Nature initiative to monitor biodiversity.
FairTrade Church
We are a FairTrade Church, committed to using fairly traded products and promoting fair trade. Find out more about Fair Trade: www.fairtrade.org.uk
Latest News
ECO - A Double Eco Award for Lichfield Cathedral
Sunday 4 September saw Lichfield Cathedral celebrate Climate Sunday in a very special way, receiving two awards to mark its Eco journey. Andy Lester, A Rocha UK’s Director of Conservation was guest preacher and presented Lichfield Cathedral with its Silver Eco Church Award. Lichfield Cathedral won the Bronze Award in 2021 and is working hard to achieve the Gold Eco Church Award.
His colleague, Regina Ebner presented A Rocha UK’s Partner in Action Certificate in Environmental Excellence. This certificate acknowledges the Cathedral’s dedication to protecting and enhancing species and habitats, engaging the cathedral community in caring for the land, and developing a sustainable, low carbon approach to energy, food, and water use.
The Revd Canon Dr David Primrose said, “we are on a journey from Bronze to Gold. Tasks ahead include robust action plans to reduce our carbon footprint, and improved communications and engagement with others. There is a growing awareness of the connections between loss of biodiversity, the climate crisis, rising energy prices, and the cost of living. As a Healthy Healing Hub, we know the links between care for creation, the common good, and the wellbeing of those who are vulnerable.”
Canon David is Canon Treasurer at Lichfield Cathedral, his remit is to focus on the Cathedral’s work around Environment, Social Justice, and Community Outreach. Some may have seen Canon David on BBC’s Songs of Praise as the ‘Beekeeping Vicar’. As part of the service everyone received a mini jar of Canon David’s honey, along with a packet of the same wildflower seeds that Staffordshire Wildlife Trust are recommending Lichfield Cathedral plant amongst the grass on the south side of the cathedral.
The Dean of Lichfield, The Very Revd Adrian Dorber said: “I am delighted with the work we are doing to address the climate emergency, and the positive steps we are making. It truly is worth celebrating, especially considering the extra environmental challenges facing our vast, ancient Cathedrals.”
To find out the latest information on Lichfield Cathedral’s work for the Environment, Social Justice, and in the community visit: www.lichfield-cathedral.org/issues
ECO Beekeeping
Meet The Revd Canon Dr David Primrose, Canon Treasurer at Lichfield Cathedral and hear about beekeeping is caring for God's planet...