GROUP BRINGS MESSAGE OF PEACE TO OMAGH
Group brings message of peace
PAX Christi Ireland members travelled to Omagh on Saturday to remember the Omagh bomb victims.
People from all over Ireland came to the town as 'pilgrims of peace' to remember the victims of the bomb two years ago, which killed 29 people and the unborn Monaghan twin girls.
Winners of the Pax Christi International Peace Prize for 1999, Rev. Ken Newell, of the Presbyterian Church, in Fitzroy, and Rev. Gerry Reynolds, of Clonard Monastery, for their outstanding work for peace and reconciliation, joined the pilgrimage from Belfast with the members of their cross-community Fitzroy and Clonard Fellowship.
Local parish priests, Fr. Michael Keaveny and Fr. Kevin Mullan, were also in attendance for the short interdenominational service.
In a statement the the Pax Christi organisation said: "The members and friends of Pax Christi Ireland from North and South, Catholics and Protestants have come to Omagh as pilgrims of peace to remember in a special way the innocent victims of paramilitary bomb to which ripped through the heart of Omagh on August 15, 1998.
It continued: "We stand side by side to express our deepest sympathy with those scarred by that violent act and with the families and friends who have lost their loved ones.
"During this UN Year of the Culture of Peace, Pax Christi members and friends urge all groups and individuals who use violence to achieve their political objectives, to build a community living in peace and harmony through non-violent means.
"Pax Christi believes many such individuals have major potential to be committed peacemakes if they dedicate themselves to resolve conflict through non-violent means," the group said.
While in Omagh the group handed over a five foot high memorial inscribed with the words "May peace prevail on Earth" to the vice-chairman of Omagh District Council, Mrs. Ann Gormley.
The arrangements for the visit were made by Omagh district councillor, Mr. Paddy McGowan, who also extended the invitation to the group.
Omagh.
PAX Christi Ireland members travelled to Omagh on Saturday to remember the Omagh bomb victims.
People from all over Ireland came to the town as 'pilgrims of peace' to remember the victims of the bomb two years ago, which killed 29 people and the unborn Monaghan twin girls.
Winners of the Pax Christi International Peace Prize for 1999, Rev. Ken Newell, of the Presbyterian Church, in Fitzroy, and Rev. Gerry Reynolds, of Clonard Monastery, for their outstanding work for peace and reconciliation, joined the pilgrimage from Belfast with the members of their cross-community Fitzroy and Clonard Fellowship.
Local parish priests, Fr. Michael Keaveny and Fr. Kevin Mullan, were also in attendance for the short interdenominational service.
In a statement the the Pax Christi organisation said: "The members and friends of Pax Christi Ireland from North and South, Catholics and Protestants have come to Omagh as pilgrims of peace to remember in a special way the innocent victims of paramilitary bomb to which ripped through the heart of Omagh on August 15, 1998.
It continued: "We stand side by side to express our deepest sympathy with those scarred by that violent act and with the families and friends who have lost their loved ones.
"During this UN Year of the Culture of Peace, Pax Christi members and friends urge all groups and individuals who use violence to achieve their political objectives, to build a community living in peace and harmony through non-violent means.
"Pax Christi believes many such individuals have major potential to be committed peacemakes if they dedicate themselves to resolve conflict through non-violent means," the group said.
While in Omagh the group handed over a five foot high memorial inscribed with the words "May peace prevail on Earth" to the vice-chairman of Omagh District Council, Mrs. Ann Gormley.
The arrangements for the visit were made by Omagh district councillor, Mr. Paddy McGowan, who also extended the invitation to the group.
Omagh.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1514
Published Date: 24-Aug-00
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