A right royal stooshie; but is it a real priority?

The Earl and Countess of Strathearn (Kate Middleton and Prince William to you and me), have been at the centre of the world’s media attention in the past fortnight. 

The embarrassment, and questions about privacy which has dogged them, has dominated the news. Such an invasion of privacy is apalling and our fascination with a young couple's private moments (and private parts) is a sad indictment.

But seriously, aren't there things that should grab the world's attention more? I think so, and strangely, it isn't even five steps away from the headline that has dominated.  

On their travels, the couple visited the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, a member of the Commonwealth and which has Queen Elizabeth as head of state, as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Tuvalu is a low-lying collection of atolls and islands, the highest altitude is just 4.6 metres above sea level.  This means Tuvalu is extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels caused by climate change.  Some people suggest that Tuvalu will be uninhabitable in the next hundred years.

Rev. Tafue Lusama, General  Secretary of the Church in Tuvalu, has sent a message to Churches in Scotland about the visit of William and Kate:

‘We are hoping that this visit will further serve as an opportunity for them to be exposed to the fate that we are in and experience what we are experiencing due to the negative impacts of Climate Change.’

Please share the story of the people of Tuvalu, and next time you get into a conversation about the private lives of the royal family, think again about the sad prospects for the people of Tuvalu, whose way of life, culture and nationality are under threat. 

Please continue to pray for the victims of climate change and for the future of the people of Tuvalu, whose culture, way of life and nationality are on the verge of extinction.  Resources for marking Creation Time (1 September to 4 October) are available on the Church of Scotland website.