London: Christians protest at warfare conference in church centre

More than twenty people gathered on Tuesday morning outside Church House Conference Centre in Westminster, to protest at the sponsorship by some of the largest arms manufacturers, Lockeed Martin and MBA Missile Systems, of the Royal United Service Institute (RUSI) Land Warfare Conference. As they stood in silence they were watched by military personnel, journalists and representatives of arms companies who were entering the building to take part in the conference.

Tuesday's act of witness included Pope Francis' Easter prayer: "We ask peace for this world subjected to arms dealers, who profit from the blood of men and women.

The Rev Adam Dickson, an Anglican Priest, celebrated a Eucharist. Before offering a sign of peace to all those present he prayed: The peace of the world is the peace of wealth and empire, of borders and nations, of warfare and weapons. But Jesus said: " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. Not as the world gives, do I give you".

The Conference is a two-day event and will be addressed by Michael Fallon MP, secretary of State for Defence.

This is the third time the Christian campaigners have organised this vigil. In 2012 and 2014 similar vigils were held, after campaigners had written to those responsible for allowing the event on church property.

Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi said: "We wrote again this year, urging the management of Church House Conference Centre and Archbishop Welby as leader of the Anglican communion to cancel the booking for these Conferences. The Church of England has an Statement of Ethical Investment and speaks of its expectation that companies are 'conscientious with regard to human rights, sensitive towards the communities in which they operate...' I wanted to assure them both that the companies involved, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and so on are responsible for the abuse of human rights and the breakdown and fragmentation of communities through conflict and war."

As yet, Pax Christi has not received a response.

The vigil is being supported by Fellowship of Reconciliation, Pax Christi, Campaign Against Arms Trade Christian Network, Christian CND, Christianity Uncut and SPEAK

A further vigil will take place at 8am on 15 July when the Chief of Air Staff's Air Power Conference will be held at Church House Conference Centre.