PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC young people are to join forces in a marathon prayer walk around the borders of the region, seeking peace for the long-divided communities.

While sectarian marches have frequently sparked violent clashes during the years of "The Troubles", organizers of The Reconciliation Walk-Northern Ireland hope that linking young Christians from different traditions in the trek will serve as a symbol for a united future.

Teenagers and young adults from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, other parts of the United Kingdom and overseas are currently being recruited for the event, which is due to begin on Sunday, July 12.

The 600-mile journey, starting in Belfast, will take participants through former trouble spots like Londonderry and Eniskillen - sites of some of the worst violence during the years of conflict. Local youth events focusing on peace, reconciliation and unity will be staged along the way.

The event is being promoted by Youth With A Mission, whose Northern Ireland leader Mike Oman hopes to see up to 1,500 young people taking part - some for one week and others for the entire route. He said that the walk was intended to build on the fragile sense of hope for the future that had been building in Northern Ireland over the past couple of years - which had largely seen an absence of violence.

"We feel that young people need to be given the opportunity to be pro-active in expressing their desire to move on from the past and embrace God's future for their country. We hope that by participating together they will gain new levels of understanding, respect and appreciation - and a sense of ownership."

The border walkers, aged 16 to 25, will take part in a week's training prior to their walk, during which time they will have Christian teaching, learn about the values and traditions of the different churches, and pray for the event.

The walk is just one of several prayer initiatives in Northern Ireland that were uniting Christians in praying for their communities and their country, said Oman.

The Reconciliation Walk-Northern Ireland: 5A Old Kenlis Street, Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland BT32 3RG.

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