The idea of an Olympic truce traces its origins back to the 8th century
BC when a literal ‘laying down of arms’ was observed to allow athletes and spectators
to travel safely to and from the Games in ancient Greece. Over recent years that ideal
has been revived in order to promote peace and greater international cooperation in
our contemporary world. For the London 2012 Olympic Games, Christian Churches in
the UK have also picked up the theme of 100 days of peace around this major sporting
event, encouraging communities to come up with new ways of promoting peace in homes
and schools, parishes and dioceses, in the hopes of leaving a lasting legacy for the
nation, long after the Olympic torch has moved on. 100 days of peace will be launched
at an all night prayer vigil in London’s central Trafalgar Square on Friday June 8th
by Church leaders including Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster and the Anglican
Bishop of London Richard Chartres. Among the projects designed to support this push
for peace is a publication entitled ‘Your Journey to Peace’, produced by Redemptorist
Publications, in partnership with ‘Missio’ and the faith based ‘More Than Gold’ Olympic
organisation. Philippa Hitchen spoke with one of the editors and former Vatican
Radio colleague, Sr Janet Fearns….
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Find out more
about ‘Your Journey to Peace' on the Redemptorist Publications website