West Country: Christians stand with those suffering in Gaza

Prayers for peace in Sidmouth Market Place

A group of Christians from the various churches in Sidmouth, Devon, gathered in the Market Place on Friday morning, asking people to pray for peace in the Middle East.

Naomi Hogg, Pastoral Assistant from the Catholic Church of The Most Precious Blood in Sidmouth, who organised the gathering, explained: "This came from a feeling of helplessness when people have asked 'what can we do?' For all Christian communities, it had been recommended by Pope Francis that we should gather together and invite people to pray for peace in the Middle East in response to the escalating activity there. As Christians we decided to gather together to pray in the Market Place and to invite anyone who would like to, to join in.

"Copies of the CAFOD prayer cards were given out for people to join in with and also take home.

"Several gatherings like this one have taken place before in Sidmouth, whenever there have been disasters around the world and nearer to home. People gathered together to pray in the Market Place and light candles at the time of the terrorist attacks in London, the Manchester bombings and also when war broke out in Ukraine."

Naomi told ICN: "I thought that you might like to know that even in a small seaside town in Devon we are all deeply affected by the current situation, not in any way taking sides but as Pope Francis has stressed we are praying for a ceasefire and for peace."