Excerpts from an article courtesy of Independent Catholic News
Four FCJ Sisters and a Companion in Mission joined around seventy Christians gathered outside the Ministry of Defence in Central London 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 Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, 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 scripture reading from Corinthians 5 was followed by a short reflection by Fr. Joe 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.“
Following singing of Graham Kendrick’s Beauty for Brokenness, a procession to the front of the Ministry of Defence followed 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.
You call us to live an unarmed peace, yet in our lives we arm ourselves with aggressive words, with thoughts that judge and exclude, with actions that harm. Give us the courage to lay down our armour, to open ourselves to mutual trust, so we may receive from you and from others the joy and hope of connection and peace.
One of the Prayers of Repentance read out by Sr MaryAnne fcJ
