UK & Ireland: all faiths pray for peace

Catholics across the UK and Ireland will be joined by members of other religions in praying for peace on 23 and 24 January. While Pope John Paul II has invited world religious leaders to Assisi on 24 January, he has also urged Catholics around the world to mark the day. Across parishes in England and Wales, hundreds of prayer events are planned. Major events include: In Bradford, local religious leaders are attending a Vigil for Peace at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Pakington Street, on Wednesday at 7pm. In Northampton, Bishop Kevin McDonald, Chairman of the Catholic bishops' Committee for Other Faiths, will be hosting a vigil for Peace for representatives of the different religions at the Cathedral of Our Lady and St Thomas, Kingsthorpe Road, on Wednesday at 7.30pm In London, leaders of different faiths will be participating in a service of prayer for peace at Maria Assumpta Centre, 23 Kensington Square (off Kensington High Street), on Thursday at 11.30am Bishop James O'Brien, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, will represent Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor who will be with the Pope in Assisi. For more information on prayer events see the Links pages and visit: Gathering for peace in Assisi