In November’s Sounds of Iona, Caro Penney, warden of Iona Abbey reflects on how we might act and pray for innocents caught in the midst of war.
Lex Innocentium or ‘Adomnan’s Law’ was written 1327 years ago. Adomnan was one of Columba’s successor Abbots, also born in Ireland. He kept strong ties between Iona and his home country. A man ahead of his time, he wrote the Law of Innocents, calling on the protection of women in wartime. Centuries later it was updated to include ministers and children.
A similar need to protect innocent people caught up in the midst of war is no less pertinent today. And so a small group of knowledgeable and passionate folk in Ireland have re-created the Lex Innocentium for our times, extending Protection of the Innocents to all Non-Combatants, to the Earth and to the Future.
It was launched on 21 September, the International Day of Peace.
During the morning service on 21 September at Iona Abbey, one of our volunteers acknowledged the refreshed Lex Innocentium and read out a letter of support from the Community. We were reminded again of the devastation which war wreaks on young people when, at a recent Justice and Peace Service, we listened to poems written by children and curated by UNICEF
On 7 October, the anniversary of the start of the most recent war between Israel and Gaza, with millions of others we cried out for peace and justice in raw anger and silence-beyond-words. How much this plea for the protection of non-combatants is needed, yet still our pleas are not heeded.
Living icons
In the midst of all this and the many other passions and concerns we share for the world, it is easy to get down-hearted, almost to the point of giving up. What difference are we making? Yet we know we are creating a lasting community of peace because, week by week, we receive expressions of deep gratitude from guests, visitors and leaving volunteers.
Just last week, due to stormy weather and the impact on ferries, the team on Iona navigated guests as they made difficult decisions as to whether to leave a day early or stay an extra night. A group from the USA stayed an extra night and as we farewelled them, they gave us a thank-you card that each of them had signed.
Among the words they wrote were these: “You are the epitome of hospitality! You are appreciated and loved. God’s presence is felt everywhere. You are living icons of Christ!”
I don’t share these with you as a boast but to let you know not only what an amazing team of staff and volunteers we have here in the Abbey. They often go the extra mile, and the rays of God’s light and love through shine through them.
Talking of icons: on Wednesday 30 October, Associate Member Duncan MacIntyre will gift a beautiful Ukrainian Ammo-Icon to the Iona Community. Made from a wooden ammunition box, it is a symbol of death to life in the midst of war. The icon has been paid for by donations from several Family Groups with the money going to the Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital which provides medical care on the frontline of the war in Ukraine.
Our beautiful, handpainted icon illustrates a traditional grouping of Faith, Hope and Charity, with their mother Sophia.
And so, in contemplative and active peace – Mйp – we join hands across world, praying for the protection of the Innocents to all non-combatants, to the earth and the future.
USA North East