The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences echoes the words of Leo XIV, which “are not those of political partisanship, but of moral and spiritual leadership, exercised in fidelity to the Gospel.” Asia can teach that "peace is never achieved through domination”. The Church's mission is not to “wield power," but to “keep alive the hope that peace is possible.”

Rome (AsiaNews) – The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) released an appeal yesterday, titled “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Mt 5:9), noting that “Asia knows well the cost of war”.

Coming at a time of “deepening global anxiety”, the  “Pastoral Appeal for Peace, Justice, and Moral Responsibility” is addressed “to all people of good will”, especially those who “guide the nations”. The plea issued in communion with the successor of Peter, Leo XIV, echoes his tireless and urgent appeals for a “disarmed and disarming” peace.

Below is the full text of the statement signed by FABC President Cardinal Felipe Neri Ferrao, FABC Vice President Cardinal Pablo Virgilio S. David, and Secretary General Cardinal Isao Kikuchi.

In these days of deepening global anxiety and escalating violence, we, the undersigned leaders of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), wish to express our prayerful solidarity with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, and to echo his urgent appeal for peace.

We draw our inspiration from the words of our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Mt 5:9). This Beatitude is not a pious ideal. It is a moral imperative.

In a time when the fragility of international law and the weakening of global institutions are becoming increasingly evident, the temptation is strong to fall back on the logic of power—on force, deterrence, and domination. Yet the Gospel calls us to a different path: the path of justice, dialogue, and peace rooted in human dignity.

We have heard with clarity the voice of Pope Leo, who reminds the world that violence can never be the foundation of a just and lasting peace, and that invoking God to justify war is a distortion of faith. His words are not those of political partisanship, but of moral and spiritual leadership, exercised in fidelity to the Gospel.

 We therefore make this earnest appeal:

• To end the ongoing hostilities and to halt the spiral of violence that continues to claim innocent lives;

• To return to the negotiating table, with sincerity and courage, recognizing that dialogue is not weakness but the highest form of responsibility;

• To respect international law and humanitarian norms, which exist to safeguard the dignity of every human person, especially the most vulnerable;

• To pursue the path of moral diplomacy, grounded not in narrow national interest but in the common good of the human family.

Asia knows well the cost of war, the wounds of division, and the long journey toward reconciliation. From our own histories, we have learned that peace is never achieved through domination, but through patient dialogue, mutual respect, and the difficult work of justice.

As a Church that is called to be a sign and instrument of unity for the whole human race, we believe that we cannot remain silent. Our mission is not to wield power, but to form consciences, to speak truth, and to keep alive the hope that peace is possible.

We invite all the faithful, and all people of goodwill, to join us in prayer and in action—for a world where conflicts are resolved not by weapons, but by wisdom; not by fear, but by trust.

May the Lord, who is our peace, guide the nations away from the paths of destruction and toward the ways of reconciliation.

With fraternal esteem and in communion with the Successor of Peter,

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao (president, FABC)

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio S. David (vice president, FABC)

Cardinal Isao Kikuchi, SVD (secretary general)

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