On 11 December 2014, a candle of peace was lit in the Grotto of Christ’s Birth in the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem. This flame was then taken by young Israeli and Palestinian Scouts to Tel Aviv Airport from where it was brought to Austria. On 15 December, Scouts and Guides from all over Europe gathered in Vienna to take the flame and transport it across Europe.
The flame arrived in Ireland on 18 December and, thanks to Ashbourne Scouts, the flame was transferred to Ashbourne-Donaghmore Parish for Mass on Christmas Eve.
Fr Derek Darby explains that “by passing on this Peace Light from Bethlehem we help to overcome the darkness caused by hate, egoism, materialism and spread happiness and hope into the hearts of all those who come in contact with it”.
Anyone wishing to take a light of peace from the Bethlehem Peace Candle can do so after 10am Mass on 1 January 2015.
