Fermanagh Scouting community comes together to receive Peace Light

From an eternal flame which burns in Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus, the Peace Light of Bethlehem was lit by a Palestinian Scout and an Israeli Scout.

It was then transported by rail, road and foot to Austria and received in a service in the Holy Family of Vienna Church. From this flame, Peace Lights have been lit and carried throughout Europe, also crossing to the Channel Tunnel at Dover for a service in Canterbury Cathedral.

The Peace Light then travelled from Canterbury to Holyhead and across the Irish Sea where members of Scouting Ireland received it.

The County Commissioner for the Erne Scout County, David Monaghan, collected the Peace Light and brought it to Fermanagh, ahead of a unique and inspiring service in Enniskillen.

Mirroring the initial lighting of the Peace Light in Bethlehem by Palestinian and Israeli Scouts, the Peace Light was carried up the aisle in St. Michael’s Church by members of Scouting Ireland and Northern Ireland Scouts, David Monaghan and Rosemary Forbes.

This unique, cross-community event saw youth members, parents and leaders from both Scouting organisations come together to celebrate peace.

Monsignor Peter O’Reilly and Rev. Stephen McWhirter led the service and lit the first flames. They then led the congregation, united as one community, across Church Street, and into St. Macartin’s Cathedral, carrying their own Peace Light.

Justine Magee played the guitar, as participants sang,‘This Little Light of Mine’ as they walked, in a magical display of togetherness.

The service concluded in St. Macartin’s Cathedral, and participants united once again as they joined for a cup of tea afterwards.

Participants included Viscount and Viscountess Brookeborough, the Lord and Lady Erne, and Stephen Donaldson, Chief Commissioner, Scouts NI and his wife, Alison.

Peace Lights were then taken onwards to other churches in the county, where the light and symbol of peace would be spread once more.