Press Release
Safeguarding season at Rochester Cathedral
Safeguarding Season
November 2024
Rochester Cathedral is marking a month-long season of Safeguarding this year, in which we invite everyone to reflect on the past failures of the Church in protecting children and vulnerable adults, here in Rochester and elsewhere.
Our commitment to putting survivors and victims of abuse first is demonstrated not least in the presence of the Loudfence on the Cathedral railings, and anyone is welcome to join in that act of solidarity by tying ribbons. Further information is accessible via the QR code above, on rochestercathedral.org
There will be an Art exhibition in the Crypt – Sculpting Sorrow and Picturing Peace’ focussing on the issues of violence and trauma experienced by women and children, particularly in the Middle East.
‘Safeguarding Sunday’ is Sunday 17 November, and there will be a focus and special prayers at services that day.
Monday November 25 is White Ribbon Day and it also sees the beginning of the 16 Days of Action to end Domestic Abuse campaign. This is an international campaign that seeks to address and combat domestic violence, which disproportionately affects women and marginalized communities. The campaign emphasizes the need for gender equality, the eradication of violence against women, and the protection of human rights.
SCULPTING SORROW AND PICTURING PEACE
AN EXHIBITION OF SUFFERING AND HOPE FROM CONFLICT ZONES
Until Friday, 29 November, Rochester Cathedral hosts paintings of peace by Syrian youngsters, and sculpture reflecting the civilian price of conflict by Lebanese-British artist Randa Saab.
Picturing Peace is a collection of 13 beautiful and thought-provoking paintings by Syrian children aged 6-12, who have known mostly conflict in their young lives.
All were created as part of Awareness Foundation’s Little Heroes programme in Syria, which helps to rebuild the shattered childhoods of displaced and disadvantaged youngsters in the region. From the calming effect of the sea to hands joined in friendship, they are a persuasive plea for peace in a troubled region.
Sculpting Sorrow brings together two collections by Randa Saab.
The first, Women in Suffering, highlights the toll war takes on women. Busts of ancient Phoenician queen Elissa and the Virgin Mary represent women who resisted tyranny and were a model of devotion, love and fortitude in the face of cruelty. A third bust, Mother of Thousands, represents today’s grieving mothers of the victims of conflict. A further sculpture, Contemplation, calls on us to meditate on the words ‘Thou shall not kill.’
The second, Cause and Effect, throws light on the range of human suffering caused by war and the global arms trade. From hands reaching through rubble to a forlorn life jacket, the stunning sculptures speak of death, hunger, disease, and forced migration.
Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral Gordon Giles, says of the exhibition:
‘It is topical and profoundly moving to bring together these remarkable collections of art for our annual safeguarding season this year. Women and children, while not generally the perpetrators of war are inextricably and tragically caught up in its ferocious and heartless carnage. We have seen this far too often in the middle east where women, children and vulnerable adults suffer so much. The exhibits bring together the poignancy, the resilience and the creativity that springs even from desperate situations. They provoke us to think, to pray and to act for peace and justice for all suffering peoples.’
The exhibition coincides with Rochester Cathedral’s Safeguarding Season, drawing attention to the failure to protect children and young people in so many contexts, including the church.
We would love you to join us for the official launch of Sculpting Sorrow and Picturing Peace at Rochester Cathedral, at 11:00am on Thursday, 7 November. RSVP to Canon Dr gordon.giles@rochestercathedral.org
About Awareness Foundation
Awareness Foundation is a humanitarian and educational charity with a special focus on the Middle East. It runs projects for children aged 6-12, young adults and women. To find out more, please contact Awareness Foundation on mail@awareness-foundation.com or call 07486 590393.
About Randa Saab
Randa is a Lebanese-British artist. Working in a range of subjects and mediums, Randa seeks to raise awareness of human suffering and ways to alleviate it. She has exhibited in Lebanon and the UK. For more information contact Randasaabart@outlook.com www.randasaabart.com
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