Annual Prayer For Peace W'ton Inter Faith Group

Councillor Phil Bateman gave a speech at Sundays the 29th January 2006 Theme 'The Weapons of Peace' at Wolverhamptons Inter Faith Groups Annual Prayer for Peace, at St Peters Church.

He said "I am honoured to give this address. I have recently been to London to pass on Wolverhampton's 'Book of Condolences' to the Greater London Assembly, following the terrorist attack that London had inflicted upon them on the 7th July 2005.

On the 14th July I along with Faith Leaders (many of whom are here today) attended a public prayer session in our own Queens Square. I addressed the people of Wolverhampton, who stopped and listened in their hundreds. We denounced terrorism and we called on Wulfrunians regardless of colour creed or religion to be vigilant and watchful but not vengeful.

We wanted Wolverhampton to remain peaceful and it was.

Much of that credit can be traced to the way in which so many of our leaders approach community relations. I believe that this Wolverhampton Inter Faith Group has done much for our community.

When I was in London I felt very proud of the way that our City responded when faced with the uncertainty of last July. There was no vengeful acts and there was peace in our city, at a time when there was a major concern about violence escalating across the UK.

Today I praise the work of the Wolverhampton Inter Faith. Indeed all the faith groups that makes up the organisation.I also praise the work of the individuals that give so much to the cause of good race relations. We have a city to be proud of here in Wolverhampton"