Youthful soul inspires the city of London

BY DAN FRANK
UP TO 15,000 young Christians filled Trafalgar Square in London last weekend to mark the end of a two-week mission to bring the Gospel message to the capital.
Catholics joined forces with Christians of all denominations for a two-hour celebration on Saturday August 7, in a service that marked the climax of the London-wide mission called Soul in the City.
Speakers at the event, which lasted from 3pm to 5pm, congratulated the young people who had taken part, thanking them for their efforts during the mission and for promoting Christian unity.
Those assembled also said prayers for London and for the country, and sang songs of worship.
Organised by the Watfordbased charity Soul Survivor, the mission was supported by the Catholic Youth Service and the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE).
It was endorsed by leading public figures, including Cardinal Cormac MurphyO’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mayor Ken Livingstone, and the Metropolitan Police.
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor praised the mission, saying: “Soul in the City is putting faith and energy together and offering young people the challenge to make a difference.” Mr Blair said: “Soul in the City is an immensely worthwhile venture. I am delighted to give it my support.” During the two weeks of the mission, young Christians from around the country, and from as far away as Australia, Canada, Norway and the Netherlands, stayed in three “tent-cities” located in schools and a camp-site on the outskirts of London.
After gathering for morning worship, they engaged in community outreach projects with the assistance of over 600 “partner churches” across Greater London.
At St Patrick’s in Soho Square, in London’s West End – one of several participating Catholic parishes – around 40 volunteers helped run a music festival featuring, among others, Christian rock groups Meeker and Transition.
Mike Pilvachi, director of Soul in the City, said: “We want London to know what Christians are for, not what we’re against.” Helen Bardy, National Director of the Catholic Youth Service, added: “Young people are tremendous evangelisers. Together with the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation we support our young people in participating in Soul in the City this summer.”