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“I hear in the words of the First Lady of Ukraine the weeping of the Ukrainian mothers who lost their children, of the families who lost their dear ones, the despair of those under the ruins of bombed houses, of those dehydrated and starving without hope of escape in the absence of secure humanitarian corridors,” Sauca wrote. “But I also hear the pain and suffering of Russian mothers, wives, children and parents who receive their dear ones in a coffin, from this illogical fratricidal war.”
Sauca reflected that there is suffering and despair on both sides. “And while the war rages, I am especially troubled by the disregard for the most fundamental moral and legal principles demanding protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he wrote. “I appeal as earnestly as I can for civilians to be spared from further attacks, and that humanitarian corridors to enable them to escape from peril be established, maintained and secured.”
The WCC has already made statements condemning the war, calling for respect for international humanitarian law and for solving the conflict through dialogue. "We can make yet another statement, but I did not feel that it could really help,” wrote Sauca. “Excellencies, the end of conflict and the agreement on a peaceful solution is in your hands alone.”
The whole world is searching for signs of hope for a peaceful solution, continue Sauca. “You are two nations with two internationally recognised independent lands,” he wrote. “Yet, you are and will always be sister nations.”
The WCC continues to be an open and safe platform where people meet, share information, and listen to one another—even if they disagree, noted Sauca. “We do our best to be the mediator that brings about peace, unity and reconciliation,” he said. “Please, help us achieve that.”
Sauca concluded his letter by urging the leaders to stop the war immediately, ask soldiers to return to their families and put an end to all hostilities.
“I am aware that things are not easy since on each side there are hardliners who want either everything or nothing,” Sauca wrote. “Yet, without understanding and compromise which brotherly love brings about, lasting peace cannot be achieved.”
Read the full letter of the WCC acting general secretary to the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine
WCC acting general secretary responds to First Lady of Ukraine: “I pray that peace may prevail and the war will stop” (WCC news release, 23 March 2022)
Local churches are frontline response for 10 million displaced Ukrainians, shares WCC and ACT Alliance (WCC news release, 23 March 2022)
Youth across the world voice prayers for the people of Ukraine (WCC news release, 23 March 2022)
Photos of the solidarity visit by ACT Alliance and WCC
Church response to refugees, “I’m seeing the image of God in you” (WCC press release, 22 March 2022)
ACT Alliance, WCC delegation visits Hungary, Ukraine and Romania with a focus on humanitarian needs, church response (WCC press release of 18 March 2022)
Churches respond to growing humanitarian needs in Ukraine and bordering countries (WCC news release, 11 March 2022)
WCC appalled by escalating impact on civilians of conflict in Ukraine (WCC news release, 11 March 2022)
WCC acting general secretary to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow: “raise up your voice so that the war can be stopped” (WCC press release, 2 March 2022)
WCC urges President Putin to stop war, restore peace to Ukraine (WCC press release of 25 February 2022)
