On Sunday 22nd December, the 35th Dublin Scouts, Donore Avenue, St. Teresa’s Group presented the Bethlehem Peace Candle at the 12 noon Mass in St. Teresa’s Church. Scout Leader Stuart Dunne brought the candle to the altar. The following piece, read out at the Mass, explains the background to the Peace Light from Bethlehem.

The Peace Light from Bethlehem is a continuously-burning flame, originating from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the Holy Land. It is meant to promote peace, harmony and unity among peoples of the world regardless of race, ethnicity or religion.

For several decades the International Scouting movement – both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts – have actively promoted global peace and harmony through the distribution of the Peace Light.

In this year of war, pain and tragedy in the Holy Land, and in so many places in our world, the Peace Light of Bethlehem symbolising the Light of Christ and the Light of Peace is a call to us to be witnesses for peace.

Pope Francis has said that this wanton killing has gone beyond war and is an act of terrorism. The Pope invites everyone to “pray for peace; pray always for peace.”

The Holy Father prays that the Lord may “help us to solve the problems and not be driven by the passions that wind up killing everyone. Let us pray for the Palestinian people; let us pray for the Israeli people, so that peace may come.”

The suffering of the innocent and particularly children in war is an affront to humanity. As we prepare to welcome the Christ Child this Christmas, we must pray for an end to war and ask God to bring peace to our world.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. (Isaiah 9:2)