And he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
On Wednesday (3 September), together with many others, I stood and shared in the reading of the names of 18,432 children killed since 7 October 2023. The names included all killed – in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank. After each name (many hard to pronounce) there was a pause and their age was read. It was heart-breaking; some under the age of 1 and others older teenagers, and so many in between.
Each was born with hope in the hearts of parents. All were aware of their surroundings and parents. Most were old enough to have hope, to dream and anticipate their future.
During the day the names were read while standing on the steps of the Collins Street Baptist Church in Melbourne. Through the night the vigil continued in the sanctuary. The list of names has been read aloud in other places and is added to as more die in the war.
The readers were Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and people of unknown faith. We came from various sponsoring networks and groups both faith and non-faith. All of us felt the impact of reading and listening in our hearts.
This was a living public statement, read to aloud to the public and in public space.
The deaths of children in a war between an army and terrorist organisation is unacceptable. The deaths of medical and aid workers is unacceptable. The deaths of people living their daily life is unacceptable. The wounding of any of these is unacceptable.
I finished my turn in the reading of the names wanting to shout out ‘In the name of the God of Peace this must stop’. Shalom is only possible with the end of war and the actioning of justice and compassion. The people of Yahweh share this understanding and desire.
Together we must never give up actively campaigning for an end to the inhumanity of war – in all places. We must do this in the name of the Prince of Peace.
Rev John Gilmore
NCCA President