Today's Holy Innocents

by John Braun, WAMM

Keeping the memory of innocent victims of violence alive has always been of importance to many cultures and faith traditions. The early Christians thought it so important they recorded the killings of young male children two years old and younger at the hands of King Herod in their Gospel stories. Throughout the ages, Christians have remembered the killing of these children.

Tragically, the killing of innocent children continues in our day and particularly so in Iraq. An estimated 500,000 children have died there since 1990 as a direct result of UN/U.S. sanctions imposed on Iraq. As many as 5,000 Iraqi children under the age of five die each month because of the sanctions.

To commemorate these children and all young victims of violence and war, we are inviting you to a special memorial service. This ecumenical candlelight service will be held at St. Olaf's Catholic Church on Thursday, December 28, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by Women Against Military Madness and several peace and faith communities.

WAMM Action!

Ecumenical Candlelight Service for the Children of Iraq
Thursday, December 28, 2000
7:00 p.m.
St. Olaf's Catholic Church
215 South 8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
FFI: 612-827-5364