The World Council of Churches has urged nations to strive for a world without poverty as it called for an International Day of Prayer for Peace on September 21, the same day as the United Nations International Day of Peace.
"Our vision as churches is that of a world in which the God-given life of each human person is protected, in which all peoples can live in peace with justice, a world in which poverty is no longer tolerated," said WCC general secretary Rev. Samuel Kobia in Geneva.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had called on all countries and people to stop hostilities for one day to observe the International Day of Peace. Annan said although 24 hours of global cease-fire was not long, it was enough for combatants and political leaders to consider the destruction they were inflicting on their people.
"It is long enough to look over the barricades, and through the barbed wires and to see if there is another path," said Annan.
The UN held a 24-hour vigil in New York encouraging "worldwide, 24-hour spiritual observations for peace and nonviolence in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals, and by all men, women and children who seek peace in the world."
The WCC, representing 560 million Christians from 342 churches, wanted to join the vigil as a part of its Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010). Staff at the national offices of The Presbyterian Church in Canada honoured the vigil by taking turns praying for 15 minutes throughout the 20th and 21st.
– AM with files from ENI
