Document
Gravely concerned by the threats made by US President Donald Trump of imminent widespread attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran and the response of Iran promising serious retaliation, the World Council of Churches reiterates Pope Leo XIV’s Easter appeal: "Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace."
The World Council of Churches also underlines and affirms the statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric that “[d]eliberate threats, whether in rhetoric or in action, against essential civilian infrastructure... must not become the new norm in warfare”. We join her in calling on all conflict parties “to spare civilians and civilian objects in all military operations. It is their obligation under international humanitarian law.”
Indeed, any war fought without limits is incompatible both with the law and with fundamental morality. The proclamation of intent to deliberately breach those limits, and the increasingly flagrant violation of law and ethics in conflicts proliferating around the world, is abhorrent to the moral conscience of humanity and utterly inconsistent with the endeavour of seeking peace and security in the world.
We, therefore, urge all conflict parties to de-escalate, to engage in dialogue, and to commit to the peaceful resolution of disputes in the Middle East, and in all conflicts around the world. We appeal urgently for all those driving these conflicts, to choose peace not war.
We invite all WCC member churches, and all people of faith and goodwill, to renewed prayers and support for peace in the Middle East.
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
General Secretary
World Council of Churches
Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm
Moderator of the Central Committee
World Council of Churches
