Ash Wednesday peace witness outside MoD

Prayers outside the Mod. Image Ellen Teague

Around 70 Christians gathered outside the Ministry of Defence in Central London today, to take part in the annual Ash Wednesday procession and prayer vigil. This was the 44th year Christians undertook this witness to, "the belief that it is better to risk living by the code of nonviolence, than to live a half-life hiding behind the false security of war and war preparations of all kinds." They repented complicity with the UK government owning nuclear weapons and were reminded that possession of nuclear weapons has been condemned by Pope Leo and by the Bishops of England and Wales.

The service was led by Pat Gaffney, an organiser of Pax Christi in London, and Fr Joe Ryan, former head of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission.

Organisations with members attending included Pax Christi England and Wales, Christian CND, National Justice and Peace Network, London Catholic Worker, Laudato Si Animators and a number of religious, including the Faithful Companions of Jesus. Peace campaigners from as far afield as Arundel and Brighton, and Hallam Dioceses participated. A lecturer in Catholic Religious Education at the University of Glasgow - Anna Blackman - was there. And two members of Pax Christi USA - Diane Hastings and Frank Panopoulos from Maryland.

Assembled first on the grass near the main entrance, a message was read out from Bishop Paul Bayes, CCND co-chair in the mid-1980s, retired Anglican Bishop of Liverpool. He said: "I'm deeply grateful to Pax Christi and to other colleagues for sustaining this witness over so many years. In a darkening world, its light shines out still more brightly, and points the way to Christ's peace still more clearly. May God bless you all, today and in all your future witnessing."

A scripture reading from Corinthians 5 was followed by a short reflection by Fr Ryan, calling for participants "to believe there can be security without nuclear weapons." He urged that the 2026 World Day of Peace message of Pope Leo be read and advertised. Its title was, 'Peace be with you all: Towards an unarmed and disarming peace.'

Blessed ash and charcoal were set out on a piece of sackcloth, surrounded by the names of countries impacted by war. After blessing, ashes were distributed as a mark of repentance and prayers for, "a new community which cherishes Earth and all her people." Martin Tiller, Chair of Christian CND, read on: 'The human cost of nuclear war,' and purple ribbons were tied by individuals to a white cross in memory of people and places they wished to remember and pray for.

Following singing of Graham Kendrick's 'Beauty for Brokenness,' the symbols were gathered for a procession to the front of the Ministry of Defence and, carrying banners with peace quotes from Pope Francis and Pope Leo, people formed semi-circle facing the building for prayers of repentance. Despite a chilling wind, messages, signs and crosses were held out and an invitation "to turn away from a culture of death and choose a culture of life." A sign of peace concluded the witness.

Pax Christi Ash Wednesday witness events were also held in Coventry, Leeds and Liverpool. One banner in Liverpool read, 'One Earth, One Family, Prayer for Peace.'

LINKS

See more pictures on ICN's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064591363750

Pax Christi UK: www.paxchristi.org.uk