THE ethics of war will be discussed as part of a church’s plans to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War.

Wallingford’s St Mary-le-More Church has organised three events on Sundays in September, October and November.

These will also include debates on when, and if, war is ever justified and what could be worth fighting for today. The team rector of the Market Place church, the Rev David Rice, said: “The commemoration of the outbreak of the war is an incredibly important event. How we use that commemoration says a great deal about us as a church.

“At the time of the outbreak of the war, not just in England, there was the huge question raised about the church’s involvement.

“So we want to find out a little bit more about what role the church should have played.”

On September 21, Dr Keith Clements, a tutor at Bristol Baptist College, will look at the church’s attitude to war in 1914.

On October 12, the master of Christian studies at Christ Church, Oxford, Professor Nigel Biggar, will debate the ethics of war and if it is ever justified.

On November 9, three 17-year-olds from Wallingford School’s sixth form will speak about what they would give their lives for today. All the meetings will start at 3.30pm in the church.

Mr Rice added: “They will raise the question about when war is right, if it ever is right.’’

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