Requiem Masses and peace vigils to mark centenary of First World War

A WWI cemetery, Belgium

The centenary of Britain's entry into the First World War will be marked in cities around the country with prayers, Requiem Masses and peace vigils.

BIRMINGHAM

Archbishop Bernard Longley will celebrate a Requiem Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham at 11am on Sunday 3 August to commemorate the centenary of entry of the British Empire to the War.
 
At this Mass all those who lost their lives in the conflict and those currently serving in the armed forces will be particularly remembered and special prayers will be said for peace in the world.
 
Archbishop Longley will be joined by Bishop William Kenney and Bishop Philip Pargeter who will concelebrate this Requiem Mass.
 
Archbishop Bernard Longley said: “On the eve of the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War we shall be united with Christian communities around the United Kingdom in remembering all those who lost their lives in that terrible conflict and in praying for peace, especially in the many troubled parts of the world today.  We shall be remembering the beleaguered Christian communities of the Middle East, and in particular the Chaldean Church of Mosul, in our prayers on Sunday.

St Chad’s Cathedral, in common with many other churches, has a beautiful and poignant war memorial which was installed soon after the First World War ended.  We shall gather for a moment of silent prayer at the war memorial on Sunday to commemorate the many sacrifices made by service personnel and their families in this and subsequent conflicts.”
 
LONDON

Cardinal Vincent Nichols will celebrate a Requiem Mass for the Fallen of the First World War at 5.30pm on Monday 4 August, on the centenary of the start of the war.

‘"t is especially poignant to remember the centenary of the Great War, which was meant to end all wars, at a time when so many people are still suffering from violence and the ravages of war, particularly in the Middle East and Africa,’ said Cardinal Vincent. 'As we begin these centenary commemorations, we earnestly ask for the gift of peace, most especially in Gaza."

CALL FOR PEACE ON TWITTER

100 years after the start of the war, research into conflict prevention and resolution is far advanced. Peace organisations call upon political leaders to use all the instruments of international law, diplomacy, disarmament, global justice and co-operation, to eliminate war.

The First World War Peace Forum, which includes Pax Christi, is also encouraging people to tweet #nomorewar at 11pm on 4 August.

VIGILS AND OTHER EVENTS

4 August 

London: National event 12 noon - 2pm a silent vigil on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London. Organised by the First World War Peace Forum.For more information contactJan, Peace Pledge Union on 020 7424 9444 or Shaughan, Conscience on 020 3515 9132

London: Event to mark women's anti-war actions in First World War: 11am-12 noon. Women will gather opposite Holborn tube station (original site of Kingsway Hall) to commemorate a peace rally held there on 4 August 1914. They will deliver a resolution to Downing Street requesting a meeting to discuss peaceful solutions to world conflicts and greater involvement of women in peace processes.

The women will be 'joined' by Kathleen Courtney, Chrystal Macmillan, Catherine Marshall and Emmeline Pethwick-Lawrence, key organisers of the 1914 rally. Contact: Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Katrina katrinagass@yahoo.co.uk or 01873 855760)

London: No Glory - No More War evening event: 6.30pm, Parliament Square. MPs, actors, historians, campaigners, war veterans and others will be speaking and reading from anti-war authors and activists in 1914-18. Contact No Glory in War 020 7561 7484

Liverpool: 12 noon - 2pm a silent vigil in the Peace Garden, St John's Lane, Liverpool. Contact Jan 0151 263 5623

Grassington: 11 am - 12 noon, Grassington Square. Contact 01756 794924 or 01756 753918

Skipton: 2 - 3 pm, outside the Town Hall, Skipton. Contact 01756 794924 or 01756 753918

Glossop: 12 noon - 1pm, vigil in Norfolk Square. Organised by Glossop Peace Group. Contact Linda 07976 653610

Glasgow: 10.30 - 11.30 am, Donald Dewar Statue, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow. contact the Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre 0131 229 0993)

Bath: 12.30 to12.50pm at the Amphitheatre, University of Bath. Contact Tim disarm@quaker.org.uk

Oxford: 11am - 3pm gathering in Bonn Square, Oxford OX1 1LQ. 'War to end all Wars? Event with poetry, music and lots more. Organised by CND. Contact: Irene 01865 242919 or Nuala 01865 749459

Tuesday 5 August

London: When Green Lanes said ‘No’ to War in 1914: 7pm 
A re-enactment of the anti-war meeting held outside the Salisbury pub in North London 100 years ago, when the First World War broke out. Hear from some of the characters who spoke out then – men who went on to be conscientious objectors, suffragettes who opposed the war, working people who had no quarrel with workers from other countries. At ‘Salisbury corner’ outside the Salisbury Hotel, junction of St Ann’s Road and Green Lanes, N4. There will be short speeches from characters dressed as in 1914 with songs of the period sung by Patricia Hammond (mezzo-soprano) accompanied by Matt Redman (guitar, mandolin-banjo)

For more information see: www.paxchristi.org.uk

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