CHILE
(2004
World Peace Prayer Society Report)
September
21 2004 was again a wonderful opportunity for the "Spiritual Forum
of Santiago for Peace" (CC), based in the capital city of Chile, to
celebrate with interfaith prayers the UN International Day of Peace.
As in 2002 and 2003, this activity took several days. From Thursday
16 through Sunday 19, communities belonging to the various religions
and spiritual traditions which are active in Santiago met in their
own places (churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, etc.) to pray
from their own faith for peace in the world, aware that other communities,
built upon other faiths and spiritual traditions, were doing the same
in other places of our city, our country and the world. 
On Tuesday 21st many schools -- most of them linked to the Catholic
Church-- celebrated with prayers the International Day of Peace. In
the evening a Central Ceremony of Interfaith prayers for Peace in
the World was carried out at a huge hall of Telefónica, the highest
building of the city and symbol of modernity and the globalized business
world. Our prayers made sacred that secular place at least for a couple
of hours. One hundred and ninety flags of countries from different
continents hanging from the ceiling brought us in contact with all
the peoples of the world. Representatives from thirteen religions
and spiritual traditions (including Christians, Jews, Moslems, Buddhists,
Sikhs, Sufis, Bahá'ís, Mapuche indigenous and BKs) seated in a circle
at the center of the hall, surrounded by a multi-religious audience
of five hundred people. As in previous years, they prayed one by one,
using their own sacred languages, songs and rituals. At the end of
each prayer, a flower was deposited in a flower vase at the very center
of the circle. Thus, at the end of the round of prayers, a beautiful
bouquet of flowers was there, representing "our unity in diversity".
A collective prayer ("May peace prevail on...") focusing on some specific
countries of the world, which have been suffering violence and death,
followed. The event ended with all the participants reading in loud
voice a Declaration for Peace in the World and singing for peace.
May peace prevail in our hearts.
Dr. Gerardo Gonzalez
Coordinator of the Spiritual Forum of Santiago for Peace
Member, United Religions Initiative Global Council
2004
World Peace Prayer Society Compilation
PICTORAL
ARCHIVE OF PREVIOUS PEACE DAY EVENTS
May
Peace Prevail
On Earth
