A Requiem for a Glacier: Churches in Germany Highlight Climate Change Impacts

Churches in Germany held an ecumenical requiem for the rapidly disappearing Northern Schneeferner glacier to draw attention to the catastrophic impacts of climate change. The symbolic ceremony on Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, not only mourned the loss of the glacier but also urged collective action to combat climate change. Explore this post from Lutheran World Federation to delve deeper into this unique blend of spirituality and environmental awareness.

With an ecumenical requiem for the Zugspitze glacier, Bavarian churches drew attention to the effects of climate change. The dwindling glacier was blessed in a church ritual. From left, Lutheran Pastor Ulrike Wilhelm and Catholic Pastoral Assistant Florian Hammerl. Photo: epd-bild/Angelika Warmuth 

An ecumenical requiem was held on Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze, to draw attention to the devastating effects of climate change and the importance of caring for our creation. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria and the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising organized this symbolic ceremony for the rapidly vanishing Northern Schneeferner glacier, one of Germany's last four glaciers.

Pastor Ulrike Wilhelm and Pastoral Assistant Florian Hammerl led the prayer for the dwindling Schneeferner, nature, and our future habitats. The ceremony, based on the theme from Psalm 121 - "I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come?", aimed to provide information about climate change, mourn the "dying" glacier, and urge collective action against climate change.

Scientists predict that by 2030, the Northern Schneeferner will cease to qualify as a glacier. Between 2014 and 2022, the glacier lost nearly a third of its thickness, decreasing from 39 meters to a mere 27 meters. This disheartening phenomenon mirrors the drastic shrinkage of the Swiss Alps' glaciers by a third from 2001 to 2022.

Climate change, originally perceived as an environmental issue, is gradually becoming a pastoral problem, stirring deep fears and concerns among the populace. Those residing at the foot of Zugspitze are confronted with the distressing sight of debris and rocks where there was once snow and ice.

However, in the face of grief and inevitability, the requiem also sought to inspire hope. Pastoral Assistant Hammerl emphasized our interconnectedness and called for collective efforts to address climate change. Despite the seemingly local issue of glacier shrinkage, the actual crisis affects regions across the globe, including South America and the Himalayas, indicating the dire need for immediate and unified action.