Children's prayers for peace

Children's prayers for peace

By Peter Gould BBC News Online correspondent in Peterborough

The child's words are neatly printed on a piece of white card, cut into the shape of a dove.

"Dear God," the prayer reads. "Let there be peace in the world."

More than a hundred such doves hang from the branches of a "peace tree" inside Peterborough Cathedral.

Susan Rolfe says it helps children voice their feelings

Some of the prayers hint at the anxiety felt by children about the dangers faced by British men and women now serving in Iraq.

"God, please watch over the people I love the most, and protect them," writes one young girl.

"Especially my Uncle Mike as he is fighting to save our country."

The tree was the idea of one Peterborough mother, Susan Rolfe, who is a member of the congregation and a lay chaplain.

"The dove represents peace, but for Christians it is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit," she explained.

"The tree was intended to be something for children to do, and we have provided crayons and coloured pens so they can decorate the doves when they leave their prayers.

Canon Bill Croft says tolerance is important

"But adults also like the idea of being able to read the messages and pray here, and many have left prayers themselves."

Now, more than ever, praying for peace is part of the daily worship at the cathedral.

Since the war in Iraq started, evensong has begun with the lighting of a candle - a traditional symbol of hope in troubled times.

"People I know are horrified by the war," Susan Rolfe said.

Peace rally

"We are praying for a good outcome, and for the safety and protection of everyone involved."

Along with many worshippers, Susan took part in a peace rally in Peterborough, which saw Christians and Muslims marching side by side.

Canon Bill Croft spoke of the efforts being made to ensure that political arguments over the war do not lead to friction between the different faiths in the city.

"There is always that potential, and it must be guarded against," he said.

Muslim leader Zahid Akbar wants different faiths to work together

"Because of the dangers of stirring up religious strife, it is important for Christians and Muslims to be tolerant towards each other, and join together in praying for peace."

Such sentiments are echoed by leaders of the city's 15,000 Muslims. They have welcomed the opportunity to join prayer vigils and peace rallies with their Christian neighbours.

Zahid Akbar, president of the Islamic Society of Peterborough, told me there had been only one or two cases of Muslims being verbally abused because of the war.

"It is very important that people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds come together and unite in working towards peace," he said.

Spirit of tolerance

"Bringing people together creates an awareness of other cultures and religions, and leads to a respect for them, so it is good to talk."

The city's leaders are anxious to foster a spirit of tolerance at a time when the conflict in Iraq has provoked strong emotions, in some cases because of personal experiences of war.

Bob Belletti and Carlo Broccoli came to Peterborough from their native Italy fifty years ago, to work at the local brick works.

They grew up together in the town of Cesena, heavily bombed by the Allied forces that liberated Italy at the end of the Second World War.

Bob and Carlo have differing opinions about the present war, but are united in their sympathy for the plight of Iraqi civilians.

"I know what they are going through," said Bob. "Now that the war has started, let us hope it will be soon be over with the minimum number of casualties."

Bob Belletti and Carlo Broccoli hope Iraq will recover

While Bob thinks there should have been more time for diplomacy at the United Nations, Carlo says that other countries should have supported Britain and the US in trying to oust Saddam Hussein sooner.

"War is no good for anybody, but it is important to pull down a dictator," he told me.

"In Cesena, my house was bombed. It was the price we had to pay to get rid of Mussolini. With help, Iraq will recover after the war, like Italy."