A shining light

Reverend lights candles in Iraq protest
17:43 AEDT Sun Dec 19 2004

An Australian clergyman will attempt a world record by lighting 16,419 candles - one for every civilian killed in Iraq since its occupation.

Anglican Reverend Paul Wood, of the Victorian town of Mansfield, will be battling strong winds in his attempt, but has vowed to complete the symbolic gesture.

He said he had based the memorial on the "conservative estimate" of 16,419 civilian deaths since the American-led attack and subsequent occupation.

Mr Wood said he'd had strong support from the community and 33 teams of people would be helping him light the candles.

"There are a lot of people responding to this who are a bit concerned about the ethics of the war," he said.

"Since the invasion, we've wondered what the collateral damage would be."It's so devastating and the civilians' deaths seem to be just swept under the carpet, so we're hoping to help people be able to visualise the devastation of this war."

The candles have been set up along the wide median strip which runs down the town's main street.

Volunteers spent the day making paper guards which they hope will protect the flames from the blustery winds.

Mr Wood said, although it would be a difficult task, he would try to get every candle lit, even if it meant working well into the night.

"Hopefully this will make real to our community the sheer number of civilian casualties and the horror of war and terrorism," he said.

"Our aim is to highlight the human dimension of the conflict in Iraq and to reaffirm the Christmas themes of peace and goodwill."

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=24867