Catholic schoolgirl says her battle for peace will continue

AN ENGLISH schoolgirl who launched a campaign for peace against the threat of war in Iraq says her campaign will continue despite government support for a military strike against Suddam Hussein.
Ten-year-old Sara-Aisha Kent was inspired after hearing a homily given by Fr Eamon Murray, assistant priest at her parish, St Augustine's in High Wycombe.
Fr Murray spoke out against the possible evils which would follow a military strike against Iraq and declared that such action would not fulfil the Church's criteria for a just war.
Echoing Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's comments in a recent article in The Times, he said the causes of war needed to be tackled, and money and resources should be redirected to tackling poverty and discrimination — often at the root cause of hostilities.
Sara, who said simply that she was "frightened" by the prospect of war, collected over 500 signatures for her anti-war campaign.
She presented her petition at Downing Street on September 19 and has also appeared on national television and in the local press.
Fr Murray said Sara had spoken to her local MP Paul Goodman and had also been in touch with Chris Smith MP, the Labour Member for Islington South and Finsbury, a former cabinet member and an outspoken opponent of military action against Iraq.
Fr Murray told The Catholic Herald he was "very encouraged" that someone so young should speak of peace.
"It's amazing what an impact this had had on the whole community," he said.
"She's created all this media interest. She's only ten years old. It's very encouraging that someone so young should advocate peace when all around there is talk of war and a pre-emptive strike."
He added: "People need to hear this, especially from someone so young because it is young people who are going to shape and determine the future of this country."
Fr Murray said Sara was determined to continue with her campaign, which was initially focused on her church, school and the local community in High Wycombe.
He said: "It's important for these issues to be brought to the fore. We can be drowned out by war cries. It's crucial to emphasise the Christian principles of peace, forgiveness and love which are the basis of the gospels. Society needs to hear the gospel message more and more.
"What Sara has done is amazing. People are telling her that it's important she keeps this campaign ongoing and she's taken that message to heart."