Peace Light Home Page

"We gladly receive the light as a sign of our willingness to be channels of peace, by our words and actions.."

Now in its 24th year, the Peace Light from Bethlehem campaign was originally organised by the Austrian Broadcasting Company - ORF (Linz) - and was part of a large charitable relief mission - Light into Darkness, for children in need in Austria and abroad. Since 1986, there has been a great deal of co-operation between Scouts and Guides in many countries which has allowed the light to travel throughout Europe, such that the light is passed on 23 European Countries and for the past few years on to America . Each year, a child from Upperaustria fetches the light from the grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The light is then flown to Austria from where it is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations from across Europe who take it back, with a message of Peace, to their own countries for use at ecumenical services throughout the Continent. Scouts and Guides can then take the light on to other churches, hospitals, old people homes, prisons, and places of public, cultural and political importance - to anybody that appreciates the significance of the "gift". In past years the light has been presented to Pope John Paul II and Pope Pope Benedict XVI, Mikhail Gorbatshow, former King Hussain of Jordan, EU President Romano Prodi and other member of the European parliament in Strazbourg, the UN Troops in Kosovo and to Ground Zero, New York.

This years Peace Child is 13 year old Simon Binder from Linz. Simon was chosen because of his work with the Samaritans youth group - over the last seven years with the Samaritans youth group, he has been able to learn first aid and volunteer to help out in different homes for the elderly. " Accompanied by his mother, Simon flew to Israel along with 455 pilgrims to collect the light from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem. On his return Simon will be involved in a very busy programme to help distribute the Peace Light. Summing up the experience Simon said "For me being the Peace Child is a great honour - an experience I will always remember"

There is a good video clip of the Peace Light collection on the "ORF "Licht Ins Dunkel" - "Light In Darkness" web site (contacts page).