CAFOD’s Olympic peace campaign

(July 20, 2012) With the Olympic Games just days away, CAFOD, Catholic aid agency of the Catholic bishops of England and Wales is urging young people to pass on the peace. ‘Pass it On’ is CAFOD’s Olympics peace campaign that is inspired by the 100 days truce that accompanied the Ancient Olympics, so that athletes could travel to the Games in safety. CAFOD has been encouraging its young supporters to take part in an online initiative by uploading video clips and posting personal messages to all those in the world who are not living in peace in 2012. The focus is on five countries - Uganda, Columbia, Rwanda, the UK and the Philippines - all places where sport is being used to aid peace and reconciliation work. So far, more than 500 young people have taken part in the online campaign, uploading their video messages to the website, including Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, Father Christopher Jamison and Olympic champion Jason Gardener. Pass it On has also been embraced by CAFOD fundraiser and Olympic torchbearer John McBride who has posted his own message of peace on the site. John has also passed on his own physical symbol of peace, his Olympic torch.