Davao City holds march for peace
- Manuel T Cayon, Davao City
- Philippines
- October 31, 2011
Widespread violence in Mindanao in October helped boost participation in a short walk for peace yesterday, inspired by the pope’s World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi last week, local religious leaders said.
Buddhists and Muslims walked alongside Catholics and Protestants, as well as members of police and army, as Mindanao belatedly commemorated the first Assisi World Day of Peace convened by Pope John Paul II 25 years ago.
Some 200 leaders of various faith communities walked less than a kilometre and issued a public appeal for collective action for peace.
“What is symbolic in this event is that this gathering is not a result of negotiation and political bargaining. We come from afar to gather in prayer,” said a statement from the organizers, the Catholic Archdiocese of Davao, acting at the request of the local community of Franciscan priests.
Buddhists and Muslims walked alongside Catholics and Protestants, as well as members of police and army, as Mindanao belatedly commemorated the first Assisi World Day of Peace convened by Pope John Paul II 25 years ago.
Some 200 leaders of various faith communities walked less than a kilometre and issued a public appeal for collective action for peace.
“What is symbolic in this event is that this gathering is not a result of negotiation and political bargaining. We come from afar to gather in prayer,” said a statement from the organizers, the Catholic Archdiocese of Davao, acting at the request of the local community of Franciscan priests.
