Anglican Communion News Service

People for Peace, a coalition of faith communities and others concerned about the build up for a US-led war on Iraq, will lead a lunchtime peace vigil outside St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne, from 12:30 - 1:30pm each day from 22-31 January 2003.

The vigil will be launched on Wednesday 22 January at 12.30pm when a 30' x 25' banner calling for "Peace Not War" will be unfurled from the Cathedral roof. Anglican representatives will welcome the vigil to the Cathedral on behalf of the Archbishop and the Dean. A white coffin and a picture of a mutilated Iraqi child will be displayed, representing the impact of military action on Iraq's civilians.

On Wednesday 29 January, an interfaith gathering of leaders from Christian, Buddhist and Muslim communities will speak, responding to the report back of the UN weapons inspectors and US President Bush's State of the Union Address.

Daily activities at the vigil will include reading stories about the lives of ordinary people in Iraq, prayer, silence and music. Passers-by are encouraged to join the vigil, sit in silence, or fold a paper crane to be added to a large banner to be displayed inside the Cathedral.

According to one of the organisers, the Revd Stephen Ames, the vigil has two purposes. "The vigil aims to provide the members of the public with an opportunity to make their voices heard for peace," he said. "It will also send a message to all our political leaders that the people of Australia don't want a war."

Article from: Anglican Media Melbourne