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Thousands take part in Week for Peace in Palestine & Israel


Group gathered opposite Downing Street

Group gathered opposite Downing Street

Pax Christi report that they are greatly encouraged by the number of events their members and supporters have been involved in linking the Week for Peace in Palestine & Israel and times of prayer and fasting for the wider Middle East and North Africa.

The J&P group in St Joseph's parish Hanwell had a holy hour of prayer using Pax Christi resources, including the postcard 'The people of Palestine & Israel need bridges not walls.' They invited those taking part to write their own message or prayer for peace.

Pax Christi members Denise Carter and Michael Mitchell organised a vigil of prayer for persecuted Christians with Churches Together in Rustington, Sussex It was held at St Joseph's Catholic church.

Each hour of the vigil 11 candles were lit to represent all those who are being killed for their faith, and at the end of each hour the 11 candles were blown out. Many wrote messages of solidarity which Pax Christi will send on to partners in the region.

These are some of the messages: "Your faith puts me to shame and inspires me. God bless you" and "For Christians in Palestine. Be strong, let your hearts take courage. Trust in the Lord. You are not forgotten".

In Leeds Pax Christi and Justice & Peace worked together to host a conference entitled God has broken down the dividing walls. More than 50 people attended and heard from CAFOD and the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. Other Palestine & Israel events were held in Warrington, Crosby, St Albans and Birmingham

Many sent messages to say that they would fast and pray at home on 2 October, international day of nonviolence. Sr Kate from Harrogate said she would pray with us and 'fast' from some gripping reading she was involved with. Josie from North London said that she had used the Pax Christi prayer resources at home and found the 'peace & justice' Rosary reflections of particular help.

In London on 2 October more than twenty people gathered at different times during the day for the prayer and fast outside Downing Street. The purpose was to make the link between the refugee crisis, the on-going suffering in the region and Britain's involvement in the arms trade.

Two of our number had made the journey from Warrington and Salford and we were also joined by Westminster and Southwark Justice & Peace

Commissions. Prayers were said every 90 minutes and during these we focused, in turn, on Israel & Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan.
Hundreds of people passed by taking leaflets which included part of the letter that Pax Christi has sent to Mr Cameron in advance of the vigil: "We urge you to take a lead in stopping arms sales and deliveries to the Middle East. The region is awash with weapons and we have played a terrible part in this trade and continue to organise arms fairs and arms sales".

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

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