Bombed church hosts dialogue after London attacks
-12/07/05
An historic Anglican church in Bishopsgate, which was partly destroyed by a terrorist bomb in 1993, will tonight host a conversation among Christians and those of other faith about how to respond effectively to the latest London blasts.
St Ethelburgaís now stands as an important symbol of hope in the heart of the city. It houses the Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, which is a venue for dialogue between groups in conflict both in Britain and across the world.
The Centreís director, Simon Keyes, explains: ìëHow should we respond to terror in London?í, from 18.00 ñ 19.30 on 12 July 2005, is a roundtable discussion with a range of Christian, Muslim and other speakers. It will also include an ecumenical ritual for peace.î
Mr Keyes continues: ìWe at St Ethelburgaís join with all people who condemn these violent acts. Indiscriminate violence is contrary to the true spirit of every religion. It is more important than ever that faith communities here and abroad work together work to build friendship across their boundaries, and collaborate in promoting non-violent ways of resolving conflict.î
Those associated with the church know the cost of indiscriminate violence first-hand. Twelve years ago the blast outside the building killed one person and wounded 51. The devastation to St Ethelburgaís church seemed so total that it was feared it might be the last chapter in the history of a church which had survived the Great Fire and Blitz, and had served the City of London since mediaeval times.
Closer inspection of the bomb site showed there was much that could be salvaged or reconstructed, and in 1997 the Bishop of London, the Rt. Revd Richard Chartres, proposed a new role for St Ethelburgaís as an innovative Centre for Reconciliation and Peace.
A Trust was established which owns and runs the international Centre now occupying the restored building. Dedicated to conflict transformation, it serves its immediate community and the wider world through research, a lecture seminar programme and consultancy services. Tonightís meeting is part of that initiative.
Meanwhile the UK wing of Pax Christi, the international Catholic peace movement, has called for a rejection of the politics of revenge in the aftermath of last Thursdayís attacks.
ìWe believe that the most authentic way to be faithful to those who suffer the violence of terrorism and war is to work for peace and models of security that create justice and trust between peoples,î a spokesperson told Ekklesia.
Pax Christi says: ìVengeance is not a constructive or appropriate response. We must not add further to the cycle of violence which is crippling our world. We should challenge actions and policies that seek to scapegoat ethnic or minority groups in our communities; or to use this tragic event to justify pre-emptive military actions or a clamp-down on democratic freedom in the UK or elsewhere.î
Bombed church hosts dialogue after London attacks
-12/07/05
An historic Anglican church in Bishopsgate, which was partly destroyed by a terrorist bomb in 1993, will tonight host a conversation among Christians and those of other faith about how to respond effectively to the latest London blasts.
St Ethelburga’s now stands as an important symbol of hope in the heart of the city. It houses the Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, which is a venue for dialogue between groups in conflict both in Britain and across the world.
The Centre’s director, Simon Keyes, explains: ‘ëHow should we respond to terror in London?’, from 18.00 – 19.30 on 12 July 2005, is a roundtable discussion with a range of Christian, Muslim and other speakers. It will also include an ecumenical ritual for peace.’
Mr Keyes continues: ‘We at St Ethelburga’s join with all people who condemn these violent acts. Indiscriminate violence is contrary to the true spirit of every religion. It is more important than ever that faith communities here and abroad work together work to build friendship across their boundaries, and collaborate in promoting non-violent ways of resolving conflict.’
Those associated with the church know the cost of indiscriminate violence first-hand. Twelve years ago the blast outside the building killed one person and wounded 51. The devastation to St Ethelburga’s church seemed so total that it was feared it might be the last chapter in the history of a church which had survived the Great Fire and Blitz, and had served the City of London since mediaeval times.
Closer inspection of the bomb site showed there was much that could be salvaged or reconstructed, and in 1997 the Bishop of London, the Rt. Revd Richard Chartres, proposed a new role for St Ethelburga’s as an innovative Centre for Reconciliation and Peace.
A Trust was established which owns and runs the international Centre now occupying the restored building. Dedicated to conflict transformation, it serves its immediate community and the wider world through research, a lecture seminar programme and consultancy services. Tonight’s meeting is part of that initiative.
Meanwhile the UK wing of Pax Christi, the international Catholic peace movement, has called for a rejection of the politics of revenge in the aftermath of last Thursday’s attacks.
‘We believe that the most authentic way to be faithful to those who suffer the violence of terrorism and war is to work for peace and models of security that create justice and trust between peoples,’ a spokesperson told Ekklesia.
Pax Christi says: ‘Vengeance is not a constructive or appropriate response. We must not add further to the cycle of violence which is crippling our world. We should challenge actions and policies that seek to scapegoat ethnic or minority groups in our communities; or to use this tragic event to justify pre-emptive military actions or a clamp-down on democratic freedom in the UK or elsewhere.’