From India to the Philippines, Asian Churches call for peace in the Middle East
Asian bishops express concern over the escalation in the Middle East. In communion with Leo XIV, they call for stability, dialogue, and reconciliation that “prioritize human dignity.” They also call for prayers for civilians and migrant workers affected by the conflict; meanwhile, prayer initiatives for peace are growing at the diocesan level.
Rome (AsiaNews) – The bishops of Asia have responded Leo XIV's appeal to "assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence” amid the “chasm” into which the Middle East is currently plunging.
From India to the Philippines, via Bangladesh, the continent’s Catholic clergy is concerned about US and Israeli attacks on Iran, with war spilling over to more countries.
The Asian prelates are "profoundly saddened", and in communion with the pontiff, they raise a choral prayer for peace and reconciliation through “reasonable, sincere, and responsible dialogue.”
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) released a statement regarding the ongoing crisis in Iran and the wider Middle East. The bishops' thoughts are with the victims, “especially the vulnerable children caught in the midst of these hostilities. [. . .] we earnestly pray for the swift and full recovery of all those who have been injured,” the statement reads.
Like Pope Leo XIV, they urgently appeal “to the leaders of all nations involved to [. . .] resolve the current crisis, and consciously choose peace over violence.” Ultimately, “Violence and conflict only breed further suffering,” said CBCI President Cardinal Anthony Poola.
“We urge all global leaders to prioritize human dignity and work collaboratively towards an amicable resolution. True strength lies not in the use of force, but in the unwavering pursuit of lasting peace,” the cardinal added.
The invitation, extended to all Christian faithful in India, is to “pray earnestly for peace in the world” during this time of Lent. “Let us unite our hearts in asking for divine grace to heal the afflicted regions and bring harmony to all communities.”
Cardinal Jose F. Advincula of Manila and Bishop Ruperto Cruz Santos of the diocese of Antipolo agree with this exhortation.
“I invite you all to pray the rosary every day for peace and reconciliation. During all Holy Masses, let us pray for peace and the security of all people in this region,”said Card Advincula in a pastoral letter published on Sunday, the day after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The Philippine cardinal calls on the faithful to ask God to purify the world from violence, greed and the abuse of power, which cause suffering and death. He urged them to pray for those suffering from war, hoping that peace may come soon so that all may live in tranquillity and freedom.
The bishop of Antipolo added: “May God’s wisdom guide those in power to choose dialogue over destruction, reconciliation over retaliation,” he noted. “We lift the innocent – the children, the families, the displaced – who long for safety and security,” he added.
Bishop Ruperto Cruz Santos addressed the many Filipino workers living in the conflict-torn region, 800 in Iran alone. He urged them to “remain vigilant in prayer” and stay in their homes and places of work, avoid unnecessary travel, and diligently obey instructions from embassy officials and legitimate authorities.
“We hold you close in our prayers,” Santos said. “We are called to be peacemakers, to be aware of the suffering of others,” he added.
The bishops of Bangladesh also expressed strong concern following Khamenei's assassination.
Speaking to AsiaNews, Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze of Dhaka, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh, strongly condemned the spiral of violence gripping the region.
“The Catholic Church is against any war. We do not believe in war. Weapons are used there. War harms many people. It causes bloodshed, and civilians die indiscriminately,” he lamented. “By increasing the war, violence, revenge and unrest increase. Therefore, all parties must stop the war now,” he said.
The archbishop also stressed that the current conflict involving Iran can only be resolved by political means. “The United Nations is there as a mediator – let the dialogue begin through them. We need to find a solution through advocacy and mediation.”
He also criticised foreign interference. “Iran is an independent country. It is absolutely not desirable for another country to go and fight there. The people of that country will decide what they want, but I don’t think it’s right to go to another country and fight like this.”
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14/06/2019 09:43
