Victoria, Seychelles—To commemorate International Day of Peace 2016, a Catholic Mass was held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
The Mass was organized by the Seychelles Police Force in collaboration with UPF-Seychelles, the International Friendship League (IFL) and Women in Action and Solidarity Organization (WASO).
The cathedral was nearly full with participants who had been encouraged to wear white clothing as a symbol of peace.
A message from Sir James Mancham, the first president of the Republic of Seychelles (1976-1977), was read during the event, which took place on September 21.
The official 2016 International Day of Peace message from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also was read.
Representatives of the police and of WASO gave the introductory remarks, followed by a prayer offered by four police officers and a representative of IFL. The closing peace messages were given by representatives of the police and IFL.
Each attendee received a copy of a Peace Pledge upon entering the cathedral. They were encouraged to sign the pledge papers, which were collected and sent to the United Nations through the Women’s Federation for World Peace, an affiliated organization.