COVENTRY CATHEDRAL

MEMORIAL RUINS:
A LITURGY OF HURT AND
HEALING

PRAYERS AND READINGS

FOR
LENT 2012
 CHILD SOLDIERS

In many countries affected by conflict, Children make up the majority

demographic, providing a constant supply of new recruits for military
groups. Whether abducted, or volunteered by parents due to extreme
poverty, the psychological scars left by involvement in war are deep-
rooted and long-lasting. It is not children who start wars, but adults;
where children suffer in this way, it is due to a lack of moral imagination
on the part of adults.

In repentance, we hear God’s word.

Mark 10: 13-14

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his
hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw
this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come
to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these.”

[Before the collect, the sentences introducing the day’s specific

focus are read.]

God our Father,

you welcomed the little children to come to you;
grant to children caught up in violence an awareness of your love,
that they may be sustained by the hope of a future beyond conflict;
we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ your son our Lord,
through whose death and resurrection hope is made possible.
Amen.

2 19

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF WAR
In a significant proportion of conflicts since 1945, the control of high-value
natural resources is a key factor, but environmental factors are often ob-
scured by more visible tensions. Furthermore, the environment is an often-
overlooked victim of violent conflict, as toxic chemicals are spilled, soils are
contaminated, and unexploded munitions render land unusable. We can-
not ignore the connection between violence to humanity and to the world
we live in, or our responsibility to seek reconciliation with the earth.
In repentance we hear God’s word.
Revelation 22:1-2
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as
crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the
middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river
stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit
every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the
nations.
[Before the collect, the sentences introducing the day’s specific fo-
cus are read.]
Creator God,
by whose hands the earth was lovingly brought into being;
birth in us a love for your world,
that we might place its protection above the satisfaction of our de-
sires;
we ask this in the name of your son Jesus Christ,
whose selfless death is our example.
Amen.
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INTRODUCTION
2012 sees the Cathedral ruins designated as a memorial to
civilians killed, injured and traumatised by conflict
worldwide. This initially pinpoints six specific themes as a
focus for commemoration and conversation. A key part of
the project is the inclusion of these themes in the liturgical
rhythms of our worship here at the Cathedral, and this
resource is designed to help us experiment with the best
way of doing this.
This booklet contains material for use during services for
each day of Lent. Each date is followed by a direction to a
later theme page. On this page can be found a general
introduction to the day’s theme, the appropriate scripture
verses and collect. Below the date, are sentences which
introduce the day’s specific focus.
It is envisaged that a the service leader would read or
paraphrase the introduction to the day’s theme, found on
the theme page, followed by the verses from scripture.
Then the sentences introducing the day’s specific focus
would be read, and then the collect.
Each theme has been assigned to one Sunday during Lent.
On this day, the introduction, scripture verse and collect
can be used without the specific focus paragraphs,
although the service leader may choose to mention
particular countries where relevant.
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 CALENDAR
Wednesday 22nd February - Aerial Bombing: Germany
rd
Thursday 23 February - Sexual Violence: DRC and Darfur
Friday 24th February - Environment: Diamonds/minerals
Saturday 25th February - Child Soldiers: South America
Sunday 26th February - Landmines
Monday 27th February - Landmines: Cambodia
Tuesday 28th February - Refugees: Uganda
Wednesday 29th February - Aerial Bombing: Israel/Palestine
Thursday 1st March - Sexual Violence: Berlin
Friday 2nd March - Environment: Chemical warfare
Saturday 3rd March - Child Soldiers: Asia
Sunday 4th March - Refugees
Monday 5th March - Landmines: Afghanistan
Tuesday 6th March - Refugees: Sri Lanka
Wednesday 7th March - Aerial Bombing: Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Thursday 8th March - Sexual Violence: Bosnia and Kosovo
th
Friday 9 March - Environment: Famine
Saturday 10th March - Child Soldiers: West Africa
Sunday 11th March - Aerial Bombing
Monday 12th March - Landmines: Angola
Tuesday 13th March - Refugees: Darfur
Wednesday 14th March - Aerial Bombing: Afghanistan
4 17
SEXUAL VIOLENCE
In the past decade, it has been recognised that rape and sexual violence
are not simply a by-product of war but part of military strategy. Rape is
not ‘private’ violence unrelated to the ‘public’ violence of warfare. Rather
sexual violence is used by groups engaged in combat to achieve a number
of military goals, including the displacement, fragmentation and humilia-
tion of communities. Despite often playing a key role in conflict-affected
communities, the Church has largely remained silent on issues of sexual
violence and often further stigmatised those who experience it.
In repentance, we hear God’s word.
Isaiah 61:1-2
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom
for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to
proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of
our God, to comfort all who mourn.
[Before the collect, the sentences introducing the day’s specific fo-
cus are read.]
God of Tamar and Dinah,
in whose image all humanity is made;
impart courage to your Church,
that we might speak out against abuse and degradation wherever it
occurs;
in the name of your son Jesus Christ,
and the knowledge of his freedom.
Amen
 AERIAL BOMBING
Thursday 15th March - Sexual Violence: Nanking
Traditionally, the ruins have been a focal point for remembrance of the
destruction of the cathedral by German aerial bombing. Fifty years on, we Friday 16th March - Environment: Oil
recognise the damage wrought by aerial bombing around the world, and Saturday 17th March - Child Soldiers: Middle East
in particular its devastating impact on civilians through strategic bombing
Sunday 18th March - Sexual Violence
campaigns which target a country’s infrastructure. Continual willingness to
target highly populated areas belies a lack of value placed on civilian lives. Monday 19th March - Landmines: Bosnia
Tuesday 20th March - Refugees: Burma
In repentance, we hear God’s word.
Wednesday 21st March - Aerial Bombing: Iraq
Micah 4:3-4 Thursday 22nd March - Sexual Violence: Palestine
[The people] will beat their swords into plowshares and their Friday 23rd March - Environment: water
spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against
nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 4 Everyone will sit un- Saturday 24th March - Child Soldiers: girls
der their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will Sunday 25th March - Environment
make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken. Monday 26th March - Landmines: Laos

[Before the collect, the sentences introducing the day’s specific fo- Tuesday 27th March - Refugees: Rwanda
cus are read.] Wednesday 28th March - Aerial Bombing: South Sudan
Thursday 29th March - Sexual Violence: Military prostitution
Almighty God,
whose kingdom is justice and peace; Friday 30th March - Environment: land
give us strength to focus our lives on its inauguration, Saturday 31st March - Child Soldiers: Central Africa
that we might bear faithful witness to the reconciling work of Sunday 1st April - Child Soldiers
Christ;
who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Monday 2nd April - Landmines: Pakistan
one God, now and forever. Tuesday 3rd April - Refugees: Afghanistan and Iraq
Amen
Wednesday 4th April - Aerial Bombing: Former Yugoslavia
Thursday 5th April - Sexual Violence: Rwanda
Friday 6th April - Environment: Animals
Saturday 7th April - Child Soldiers: DDR programmes

16 5
Wednesday 22nd February - Aerial Bombing (see p.16) : Germany
Today we especially commit into God’s hands those affected by aerial
bombing in Germany, where during World War Two a number of major
cities were bombed by allied forces. These included Dresden - which lost
its Cathedral as Coventry did – Hamburg, and Berlin. We come to God in
prayer for them.
Thursday 23rd February - Sexual Violence (see p.17) : DRC & Darfur
Today we especially commit into God’s hands women of Democratic
Republic of Congo, where sexual violence has been described as an
epidemic, and of Darfur, where women are raped as by bands of militia
who raid their villages, or when they leave refugee camps for firewood or
water, and come to God in prayer for them.
Friday 24th February - Environment (see p.18) : Diamonds & minerals
Today we particularly acknowledge before God the way in which
diamonds and other minerals which are mined from the earth have funded
violence in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Angola and Democratic Republic of
Congo. We come to God in prayer.
Saturday 25th February - Child Soldiers (see p.19) : South America
Today we especially commit into God’s hands child soldiers forcibly
recruited to the Bolivian army, and those enticed by financial incentive to
join Colombian paramilitary groups and guerrilla forces, and come to him
in prayer for them.
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REFUGEES
While the suffering of refugees is often presented as a humanitarian cri-
sis, it is never a stand-alone problem but rather a symptom. While there
are numerous reasons why people are forced to leave their homes, in the
twentieth century war has been a key contributing factor. In our society,
suspicion of migrants is at an all time high, yet the inclusion of refugees
forms part of our biblical duty of hospitality. Thus we must seek an end to
conflict which causes mass movement of people, whilst welcoming those
whose destination is our own city.
In repentance, we hear God’s word.
Hebrews 13:1-2
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget
to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have
shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
[Before the collect, the sentences introducing the day’s specific fo-
cus are read.]
Mighty God,
you shelter us in the shadow of your wing;
give your people generous hearts,
that the Church may be a place of refuge for those far from home;
for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
himself a refugee in Egypt.
Amen.

LANDMINES
Landmines may remain long after a conflict is over, and in this way they
embody the negative impact of war on civilians. Although a conflict may
officially end, landmines remain, having no regard for ceasefires or ability
to distinguish between soldier and civilian. Thus they both prevent people
from returning to their pre-war way of life, and maim and kill those who
do so. The continuing destructive impact of landmines provides an insight
into the complex nature of reconciliation. Conflict does not end when the
guns fall silent and leaders sign treaties.
In repentance, we hear God’s word.
Revelation 21:4-5b
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more
death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has
passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making
everything new!”
[Before the collect, the sentences introducing the day’s specific fo-
cus are read.]
Everlasting God,
you choose the weak things of this world to shame the strong;
bring healing and restoration to shattered lives,
that they may bear witness to your transforming power;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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Sunday 26th February - Landmines (see p.14)
Monday 27th February - Landmines (see p.14) : Cambodia
Today we especially commit into God’s hands those who live in landmine-
affected areas of Cambodia, where three decades of conflict have left a
huge number of unmapped mines. The legacy of these is already visible in
the high numbers of amputees and physical disabled people and we come
to God in prayer for them.
Tuesday 28th February - Refugees (see p.15) : Uganda
Today we especially commit into God’s hands the nation of Uganda, which
has witnessed a number of waves of migration, including that brought
about the brutal rule of President Idi Amin, and the terror caused by the
activity of the Lord’s Resistance Army. We come to God in prayer for
those who have fled Uganda, and those internally displaced within it.
Wednesday 29th February - Aerial Bombing (see p.16) : Israel/Palestine
Today we especially commit into God’s hands those affected by aerial
bombing in Israel and Palestine. We come to God in prayer for them.
Thursday 1st March - Sexual Violence (see p.17) : Berlin
Today we especially commit into God’s hands women of Berlin, where
the 1945 fall of Berlin to the Soviet Army was accompanied by rape of
civilian women on a massive scale, and come to God is prayer for them.
Friday 2nd March - Environment: (see p.18): Chemical Warfare
Today we particularly acknowledge the dual nature of the damage caused
by chemical warfare in Vietnam, in creating human suffering and in con-
taminating the earth for future generations. We come to God in prayer.
Saturday 3rd March - Child Soldiers (see p.19) : Asia
Today we especially commit into God’s hands child soldiers recruited by
the Tamil Tigers during the Sri Lankan civil war, and those enlisted in the
Burmese military forces by recruiters on financial commission, and come
to him in prayer for them.
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Sunday 4th March - Refugees (see p.15)

Monday 5th March - Landmines (see p.14) : Afghanistan

Today we especially commit into God’s hands those who live in landmine-
affected areas of Afghanistan, where all sides in its various armed conflicts
have used mines. Every day, more civilians are being killed or maimed by
landmines, and almost half of the latter die as a result of their injuries due
to insufficient medical facilities. We come to God in prayer for the people
of this nation.
Tuesday 6th March - Refugees (see p.15) : Sri Lanka
Today we especially commit into God’s hands the nation of Sri Lanka,
where deterioration of the relationship between the two main ethnic
groups started displacement in the 1950’s and was exacerbated by the civil
war which began in 1983. Despite the 2001 peace agreement, tensions in
Sri Lanka are still evident. We come to God in prayer for those who have
fled Sri Lanka, and those internally displaced within it.

Wednesday 7th March - Aerial Bombing (see p.16) : Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Today we especially commit into God’s hands those affected by aerial
bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In 1945, after Japan ignored a US ulti-
matum to surrender, the first and only two atomic bombs were dropped,
killed thousands on impact, and many more through radiation. We come
to God in prayer for them.

Thursday 8th March - Sexual Violence (see p.17) : Bosnia & Kosovo
Today we especially commit into God’s hands Muslim women of Bosnia
and Kosovo who suffered an organised programme of sexual violence dur-
ing the conflict of the 1990s, including being held at so-called ‘rape camps’
and forced to carry the children of Serbian soldiers. We come to God is
prayer for them.

Friday 9th March - Environment: (see p.18) : Famine

Today we particularly acknowledge before God the role of conflict in cre-
ating food shortage and famine, most recently in East Africa, through dis-
placement of people and disruption of the farming cycle. We come to God
in prayer.

Saturday 10th March - Child Soldiers (see p.19) : West Africa

Today we especially commit into God’s hands child soldiers abducted to
serve in the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda, forced both to endure and
perpetrate atrocities, and come to God in prayer for them.

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Sunday 1st April - Child Soldiers (see p.19)
Monday 2nd April - Landmines (see p.14) : Pakistan
Today we especially commit into God’s hands those who live in landmine-
affected areas of Pakistan. North-Western Pakistan suffers from residual
contamination from the use of explosive weapons in decades of armed
violence and casualty statistics are among the highest in the world, due to
limited understanding about the risks of landmines. We come to God in
prayer for the people of Pakistan.
Tuesday 3rd April - Refugees (see p.15) : Afghanistan & Iraq
Today we especially commit into God’s hands the nations of Afghanistan
and Iraq, both of which already had seen large-scale migration before this
was further exacerbated by US and UK military action under the auspices
of the ‘War on Terror’ in the region since 2001. We come to God is
prayer for them.
Wednesday 4th April - Aerial Bombing (see p.16) : Former Yugoslavia
Today we especially commit into God’s hands those affected by 1999
NATO bombing campaign during the Kosovo War, which claimed the
lives of many civilians. We come to God in prayer.
Thursday 5th April - Sexual Violence (see p.17) : Rwanda
Today we especially commit into God’s hands women of Rwanda, where
sexual violence formed part of strategy for the genocide of the Tutsi peo-
ple due to the depiction of women by Hutu military leaders as symbols of
the enemy. We come to God is prayer.
Friday 6th April - Environment (see p.18) : Animals
Today we particularly acknowledge before God the adverse affect of war
on animal populations, such as that of Angola where the civil war elimi-
nated large numbers of species previously found there. We come to God
in prayer.
Saturday 7th April - Child Soldiers (see p.19) : DDR Programmes
Today we especially commit into God’s hands organisations around the
world which run demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration pro-
grammes for child soldiers, and come to him in prayer for them.
12
Sunday 11th March - Aerial Bombing (see p.15)
Monday 12th March - Landmines (see p.14) : Angola
Today we especially commit into God’s hands those who live in landmine-
affected areas of Angola, where mines were planted throughout the civil
war. These restrict the movement of people and disrupt farming, as well
as increasing the cost of delivering aid as this has to come by air rather
than across land. We come to God in prayer.
Tuesday 13th March - Refugees (see p.15) : Darfur
Today we especially commit into God’s hands the region of Darfur, where
violence has caused a huge wave of migration across the Sudanese border
into Chad. Within Darfur, many thousands more have been forced to live
in refugee camps due to the threat of armed raids on their villages. In
these camps, conditions are poor and people are still in danger from mili-
tia groups. We come to God in prayer.
Wednesday 14th March - Aerial Bombing (see p.16) : Afghanistan
Today we especially commit into God’s hands the people of Afghanistan,
where US air strikes have claimed many thousands of civilian casualties,
prompting repeated pleas from Afghan president Hamid Kharzai for his
people’s safety. We come to God is prayer.
Thursday 15th March - Sexual Violence (see p.17) : Nanking
Today we especially commit into God’s hands women of Nanking, China,
where the 1937 capture of the city by Japanese forces was followed by a
six week spree of violence, during which soldiers went from door to door
in search of women to rape and murder. We come to God is prayer.
Friday 16th March - Environment (see p.18) : Oil
Today we particularly acknowledge before God the role of oil in legitimis-
ing military endeavours in the Middle East and North Africa, voicing that
which politicians have sought to conceal. We come to God in prayer.
Saturday 17th March - Child Soldiers (see p.19) : Middle East
Today we especially commit into God’s hands child soldiers in Afghani-
stan, many of whom served in non-combatant roles but still witnessed and
were subject to violence, and come to him in prayer for them.
9
Sunday 18th March - Sexual Violence (see p.17)
Monday 19th March - Landmines (see p.14) : Bosnia-Herzegovina
Today we especially commit into God’s hands those who live in landmine-
affected areas of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which were contaminated during the
break up for Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. As well as continuing to kill or
injure civilians, these mines also hinder the reconstruction of society by
limiting food production and diverting resources. We come to God in
prayer.
Tuesday 20th March - Refugees (see p.15) : Burma
Today we especially commit into God’s hands the nation of Burma, where
forced migration was employed during military rule as a tactic to prevent
civilians uniting in opposition to the regime, splitting up families and frag-
menting communities. We come to God in prayer.
Wednesday 21st March - Aerial Bombing (see p.16) : Iraq
Today we especially commit into God’s hands the people of Iraq, where
the vast majority of casualties of the UK and US led invasion which began
in 2003 were civilians. We come to God in prayer.
Thursday 22nd March - Sexual Violence (see p.17) : Palestine
Today we especially commit into God’s hands women of Palestine, where
violence against women in a domestic setting is more common due to the
context of conflict in which they live. We come to God in prayer for
them.
Friday 23rd March - Environment: (see p.18) : Water
Today we particularly acknowledge before God the role that competition
for water resources can contribute to conflict, due to its necessity both
for basic life and for trade. We come to God in prayer.
Saturday 24th March - Child Soldiers (see p.19) : Girls
Today we especially commit into God’s hands female child soldiers past
and present, who are often raped repeatedly by adult soldiers, and come
to him in prayer for them.
10
Sunday 25th March - Environment (see p.18)
Monday 26th March - Landmines (see p.14) : Laos
Today we especially commit into God’s hands those who live in landmine-
affected areas of Laos, where large numbers of bombs were dropped dur-
ing the Vietnam War, a significant amount of which failed to explode. Col-
lecting scrap metal is a common trade in Laos, meaning that many civilians
are injured by bombs as they try to earn a living. We come to God in
prayer for them.
Tuesday 27th March - Refugees (see p.15) : Rwanda
Today we especially commit into God’s hands the nation of Rwanda,
where around two million refugees fled following the 1994 genocide, to
huge camps in neighbouring countries. A number of these came under the
control of rebel groups, resulting in the withdrawal of humanitarian aid
and ongoing instability. We come to God in prayer both for those who
have been able to return home, and those still displaced across the Great
Lakes region.
Wednesday 28th March - Aerial Bombing (see p.16) : South Sudan
Today we especially commit into God’s hands the people of South Sudan,
under threat of bombing from military forces across the border in Sudan
as unrest between the two continues. We come to God in prayer for
them.
Thursday 29th March - Sexual Violence (see p.17) : Military Prostitution
Today we especially commit into God’s hands women who are forced to
serve a military prostitutes in conflict zones around the world. These eu-
phemistically titled ‘comfort women’ have been a feature of war since the
earliest times to this day, and we come to God in prayer for them.
Friday 30th March - Environment: (see p.18) : Land
Today we particularly acknowledge before God the central role that vio-
lent competition for physical territory has played in war throughout his-
tory. We come to God in prayer.
Saturday 31st March - Child Soldiers (see p.19) : Central Africa
Today we especially commit into God’s hands child soldiers recruited
from refugee camps in Chad with the promise of money and cigarettes,
and those who made up Charles Taylor’s rebel groups in Liberia and Si-
erra Leone in the 1990s, and come to him in prayer for them.
11