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Speaking out, the Right Reverend Richard Chartres said "there is now an over-riding imperative to walk more lightly upon the earth and we need to make lifestyle decisions in that light." He went on to label "selfish choices" such as flying abroad and buying large cars "symptoms of sin," adding "Sin is not just a list of moral mistakes. It is living a life turned in on itself where people ignore the consequences of their actions."
Already a protruding thorn in the travel industry's crown, the environmental backlash against flying only seems to be gathering momentum, prompting industry bodies to hit back against the Bishop's use of "rather strong terms."
Kuoni managing director Sue Biggs found it "a very strange comment to make while Lastminute.com director John Bevan argued that flying is "clearly not a sinful thing to do." ABTA board director Sue Foxall added: "I wouldn't have thought the Church has enough experience of the travel industry to comment on it."
Yet, despite the strong case presented by the travel industry, Church of England policy advisor Claire Foster claimed the Bishop was sticking by his comments. She added: "We're not saying travel is fundamentally wrong but people should think about whether or not they really need to take a trip by air." Amen.
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