Service of remembrance for Iraq war dead

An ecumenical service to honour and remember the thousands of people who lost their lives in the war in Iraq is being held in London at the Baptist Central Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue next Tuesday, 24 June. The service, which is being organised by Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace starts at 6.30pm. "This event will provide an opportunity to remember, pray, repent and commit ourselves to work for peace and a non-violent means of resolving conflict in our world," Pax Christi said. The precise numbers of civilian and military Iraqi deaths remain the subject of controversy. Iraq Body Count, a project to establish an independent and comprehensive public database of media-reported civilian deaths, estimates that between 5,500 and 7,200 Iraqi civilians died during the conflict. Between 5,000 and 10,000 Iraqi soldiers were estimated killed. A hundred and sixty-two US and 32 British soldiers were killed. Peace groups around the country are currently drawing up a condolence book for those who died in the Iraq war, to be given to Iraqi representatives in London, Mr Tony Blair and the American Embassy in London. If you would like to add your signature, contact: paxchristi@gn.apc.org Groups taking part include: Pax Christi, the Baptist Peace Fellowship, CANA, CIIR, Community for Reconciliation, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Jesuit Refugee Service, Missionary Institute London, National Justice & Peace Network, Social Justice Desk-Conference of Religious and the URC Peace Fellowship.