People across London gathered on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral last night to 'shine a light on corruption'.
Yesterday's vigil marked the first event of the Exposed campaign's week of action, which aims to highlight to effect of global corruption on the poor and speak out for honesty in financial dealings across the globe.
Lord Leslie Griffiths, a churchman and member of the House of Lords, highlighted the challenge facing not just the Government but the church and all people of faith.
He said: "Our job is to see that we overcome evil with good. We expose the evil for what it is and then set our targets for overcoming that evil.
"I believe that this campaign is part of an orchestrated effort on behalf of good-willed people around the world to see that we have the kind of world that God wants us to live in," he added.
Christian businessman Ram Gidoomal said: "We need new models of ethical business … and ethical business can begin at school, as we encourage budding entrepreneurs to practise compassion and ethics."
Those attending the vigil were asked to bring a form of light with them, including phones, candles and torches, so that they could symbolically 'shine a light' during the event.
Bishop Pete Broadbent led prayers as lights were shone across the cathedral steps, whilst the London Community Gospel Choir provided music.
Everyone attending also received an artificial $1 trillion note, representing the amount which is paid globally in bribes each year.
At the end of the event, people signed their individual notes before placing them in a 'Bank of Integrity'.
These signatures will be added to the Exposed Global Call to End Corruption petition, which calls for open tax regimes and greater transparency in payments.
The Exposed campaign against corruption is being led by an international coalition of Christian organisations.
It will be in the Chapel of St Michael and St George for the rest of the week collecting more signatures. The petition aims to gather a million signatures and will be handed to the meeting of the G20 in Australia next year.
Yesterday's event was one of the 2,000 global vigils that are being held between October 14 and 20 as hundreds of Christians stand together and pray for an end to corruption.
Other vigils being planned for the week include one at the White House in Washington DC.
