Ash Wednesday Witness for Peace

Ash Wednesday by Embankment 2019 ICN/JS

Pax Christi England and Wales, in collaboration with Christian CND, is planning events on Ash Wednesday - 2 March - to challenge the immorality of nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear warfare.

A national event will be an online service of repentance and witness for peace at 7-8pm. In person witness will take place in London, Coventry, Leeds, and Liverpool.

In London, Pax Christi members will gather for prayer and vigil at the Ministry of Defence, London and Columban JPIC will be represented. Meet at 3.30pm in the grass area, corner of Ministry of Defence, west side of Horseguards Avenue for a time of prayer and reflection to repent of nuclear weapons and war.

Coventry Pax Christi will be holding an 11am service on the steps of the Cathedral Ruins, praying for all those affected by war and for an end to the arms trade that fuels wars. This will be followed at noon by the Coventry Reconciliation Litany and Distribution of Ashes in the ruins.

Liverpool Pax Christi members are holding a noon service at St Luke's 'Bombed Out Church' in the city.

In Scotland, the Glasgow Catholic Workers plan an Ash Wednesday afternoon liturgy of repentance and resistance at Faslane, the home of the UK's nuclear weapons.

Peace groups are challenging the UK Government's intention to maintain and increase the UK's nuclear weapons and to disregard the UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.

Details and resources at: https://paxchristi.org.uk/

Pope Francis has called for Ash Wednesday to be a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace.
See: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/44130

"I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war." Pope Francis

Dr Inderjit Bhogal, Honorary President of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, has written a prayer for use during this time of heightening tensions in the Ukraine:

Prayer:

Holy God,

We hold before you all who live close to war and conflict; and all who live close to the threat of war and violence.

We remember especially at this time, people in Ukraine and Russia. We pray for nonviolent and peaceful resolutions of conflict.

Give to us all hearts of hospitality and sanctuary, forgive us all our hostility and hatred.

Bring all people to the humanity you give us, and to the reconciliation and healing for which you give your life.

Strengthen us all to work with you to build justice and peace, reconciliation and healing, in our hearts and homes, in our streets, in all communities, neighbourhoods and nations.

Bless all who live lives for the peace and wellbeing of others, and make their service fruitful.

In the name of Christ.

Amen.

LINK
See the Tablet video report from 2019: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWZkXCJA2Fo