Speakers from all over the world challenged and encouraged young people: Cardinal Bo of Myanmar (Burma), Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nicholls, Fr Augusto Zampini Davies of CAFOD and Soul Survivor’s Mike Pilavachi.
Solidarity with and welcoming refugees was a key theme, emphasised by the presence of a 30 foot boat which carried North Africans fleeing violence and war. During the afternoon liturgy, Cardinal Nichols prayed for the estimated 10,000 refugees who have drowned while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea. Sarah Teather, former Liberal Democrat MP and director of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK and two young people who had recently returned from refugee camps in Lebanon shared their experiences and inspired the young delegates to play their part.
Music was led by Matt Redman, Guvna B and Jasmine Elcock (Ant and Dec’s ‘golden buzzer act’ on Britain’s Got Talent 2016).
Jack Regan, youth officer for the Catholic diocese of Arundel and Brighton, who took a group of young people to Flame 2017, said: “It was so amazing seeing 10,000 young people gather in the heart of London to worship God. It was a day filled with laughter, with ideas about living as Christians in the world and, most importantly, filled with hope for the future!”
Kyra, a young person who attended Flame, said: “It was a beautiful day full of worshipping God and being inspired by others. It was just lovely to know we were all there for the same reason.”
