News Brief

Re-built church hosts peace week

-13/10/04

A peace centre based in a historic church destroyed by a terrorist bomb in 1993 is to host a week of celebration, discussion, reflection, prayer and music on the theme of reconciliation.

St Ethelburgaís Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in London was re-opened in 2002 as a place of dialogue for groups in conflict. The events run from 17 - 22 October.

At the heart of the week is the unveiling of 'Christ our Reconciliation', a special Icon dedicated to the work of Pax Christi, the international Catholic peace movement. It was made at the Monastery of St John in the Desert, near Jerusalem.

A special service of dedication and blessing will take place on Sunday 17 October with Richard Chartres, Anglican Bishop of London, Russian Orthodox Bishop Basil of Sergievo and Anthony Maggs, Abbot Primate of the Canons Regular of St Augustine.

During the week, workers in the City of London and others will be invited to take part in reflection and prayer, a conversation between Christians, Muslims and Jews on the Middle East, and creative workshops.

Rivers of Babylon , a group of singers and instrumentalists, will perform religious and secular music of the Iraqi (Babylonian) Jewish tradition.

Two groups of school children will also be involved in workshops on art and peace and on conflict resolution.

For more information contact Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi on ++44 (0)20 8203 4884.