London: Walk for peace as First World War commemorations begin

Westminster Abbey 20th Century Martyrs

A walk for peace that will stop at 10 London sites recalling the witness of peacemakers, will take place on Saturday 28 June - that day that marks the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914, one of the triggers for the First World War.

Organised by the Justice & Peace Commissions of the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster and Pax Christi, the Catholic peace movement, it seeks to remember the peace-making activities of the past 100 years, stopping at the Gandhi memorial in Tavistock Square, the Edith Cavell statue near Trafalgar Square, the Suffragettes sculpture in Christ Church Gardens and the 20th Century Martyrs at Westminster Abbey, among many others.

It is hoped that the walk will inspire and encourage those taking part to see the commemorations of the First World War as an opportunity to renew commitment to work for peace.

The day will end at the Tibetan Peace Garden, Lambeth where walkers will be joined by Archbishop Kevin McDonald of Southwark Diocese. Here there will be a time of prayer and reflection and people will be offered white poppy seeds to plant in their own church/community space as a symbol of their commitment to peace.

The walk is based on Peace Trails thorugh London by Valerie Flessati.

For more details see: http://bit.ly/1l3lbbD