Peace Doves comes to Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln Cathedral has announced a programme of worship, organ recitals, concerts, family activities and late-night openings as part of the art installation, Peace Doves which has just gone on display in the nave.

Peace Doves comes to Lincoln Cathedral

Over the summer around 12,000 people made paper doves and wrote their messages and prayers for peace, and now artist Peter Walker has brought the paper birds together in an artwork suspended on metres of ribbon beneath the central tower of the Cathedral bearing the hopes and prayers of all those involved.

All last week students graduated under the doves and this Saturday (14 September) the installation of the Revd Canon Dr Simon Jones as the next Dean of Lincoln will take place under them too. 

The Revd Canon Rowena King said:

“All involved have felt the privilege and awe of holding and folding people’s prayers and hopes for peace; particularly so amidst times of national and global unrest. 

“One person’s prayer may feel small, but as we took piles of prayers and turned them into sacks full of doves it was hard not to feel the tangible presence of a deep movement towards peace.

“Peace isn’t something that simply happens when humanity stops fighting or disrupting or arguing. Peace-making is an action, it requires effort and is something that we build together, for each other.

“Like the installation, peace is built when we find ways for everyone’s voices to be heard and valued – doves have come from all across Lincolnshire, from community projects, churches, hospital chaplaincies and schools; and also, from all across the world, from tourists and pilgrims to our Cathedral.”

Peace Doves by Peter Walker is open to the public until Thursday 14 November. Find out more here.

Photo credit: Peter Walker Sculptor