On Monday night I went to “Our Faith, Our Planet, Our Community”, a three hour gathering at Manchester Cathedral with the admirable goal of inspiring interfaith action on climate change.  With the exception of some beautiful singing by a two woman group (from London) called ‘Pieces of Islam’, there was not a single female voice speaking from a religious perspective.

So, this was what is known as a ‘manel’ – an all male panel.  Was there not a single woman who could be found by the organisers to speak of the way that religion – with a respect for the creative work of various varieties of God, and the threat of eternal punishment for bad behaviour – can help inspire and instruct long-overdue action (as opposed to talk)? Or did they not look for one?

Also, a break at some point in the three hours would have been the Christian thing to do…