Cultivating a culture of peace
Local
Seaford Christian Churches came together last month to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace.
The event was inspired by the gathering of various Christian denominations and world religions in Assisi, Italy, on October 27 1986 at the invitation of Pope John Paul II. United by a common goal – the desire for peace – their motto was “’being together to pray’.
Preparation for the commemoration of the significant day began on Good Friday, March 29, when local priest Fr Tom Gleeson initiated a weekly session of silent reflection for peace at the Wirra on the grounds of Seaford Christian Churches (SCC).
The five Churches at SCC (Anglican, Catholic, Church of Christ, Lutheran and the Uniting Church) collaborated in the planning and were represented at the gathering on September 21, together with representatives of First Nations People; Muslim, Hindu, Baháʼí and Buddhist faiths, and the City of Onkaparinga.
The day began with the lighting of the ‘Flame of Peace’ in the Wirra firepit. As the congregation arrived, they were invited to participate in the First Nations smoking ceremony, calling on their ancestors and the ancestors of the Kaurna people to cleanse and fill them with peace.
The proper of the prayer began with the Welcome to Country by Ms Naomi Hicks and Maureen Humes. Representatives were then invited to stoke the Flame of Peace by adding a log to the firepit, while vocalising the voice of peace in their own language.
Prior to the sounding of the meditation bell, Fr Tom reiterated the theme of the gathering, drawing from the wisdom of one of his mentors, Dom Bede Griffith OSB, who visualised all religions as an immense flow of rivers running into one ocean of love.
“At SCC we recognise ecumenism as an indispensable form of Christian Love, both in our vision and practice,” said Fr Tom.
“We believe that to be truly Catholic, ecumenism is one of the most credible and convincing aspects, completing the shift from Catholicism to Catholicity which began with Vatican II.
“This gathering is not about syncretism but an expression in silence – the language of God – rooted in a deep desire for peace by each religious congregation.”
At the conclusion of 15 minutes of silent prayer, eight native trees were planted around the Wirra as an expression of growth in ‘cultivating a culture of peace’.
The sign of peace was then warmly exchanged as each attendee received a commemorative sprig of olive, symbolically tied with a white ribbon.
The gathering ended most fittingly with a meal; bread and the fruits of the land, vegetable patties.
– Dulcie Wong
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