Catholic Workers plan peace vigils against Iraq deployment

Catholic Workers groups in the Hokianga and Otaki are organising peace vigils to oppose military deployment to Iraq.

The vigils are among those to be held around New Zealand at 5pm on March 5 under the auspices of Peace Movement Aotearoa.

They will call for increased humanitarian assistance and diplomatic support for Middle East peace processes, as well as opposing military deployment.

Last week, Prime Minister John Key announced the deployment of up to 143 New Zealand military personnel to support training for Iraqi forces.

This is part of action against the Islamic State.

Other church-based organisations to arrange vigils on March 5 include the Quakers in Hamilton, Kapiti, Golden Bay and Nelson.

Further vigils have been confirmed for Auckland – at Aotea Square – and Wellington – at the Cenotaph.

Details of vigils in other towns and cities will be announced online when they are confirmed.

People who don’t have a vigil in their area are advised to gather friends and family at 5pm on March 5.

At these gatherings, they are asked to light a candle for peace, and to take a photo of their gathering displaying the message “’Military deployment in Iraq? Not in our name”.

The photo can be posted online.

On February 11, Peace Movement Aotearoa released an open letter opposing military deployment to Iraq and Syria.

New Zealand’s Catholic bishops released a statement last week giving support to the New Zealand government’s deployment of military trainers in Iraq.

The bishops stated that action against an unjust aggressor is justified.

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News category: New Zealand.

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