“We call on national governments, regional intergovernmental bodies, the United Nations, international organizations and all stakeholders to invest in peace, not war.”
Leaders of four global Christian communions say they are “profoundly dismayed” at the international community’s failure to prevent wars including the escalation of conflict in Iran and the Middle East.
In a joint statement, The Rt Rev. Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion; the Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation; the Rev Philip Vinod Peacock, General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches; and the Rev. Dr. Reynaldo Ferreira Leão Neto, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council appeal for peace and reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, dialogue and diplomacy.
“We reaffirm our strong commitment to peace, in a world increasingly amassing arms and accepting destructive conflict as inevitable,” the statement says. It continues: “We envision a world where peace is cherished and actively cultivated, grounded in our shared values of dignity and worth of each person and the equal rights of all people and nations, with justice and respect for international law.”
The church leaders warn that “the world is approaching a dangerous tipping point,” a time when “violence becomes the norm and the death and suffering of peoples and communities is condoned.”
Pledging themselves and their communities to be “relentless advocates for transformative peace,” the church leaders call for greater support for humanitarian aid, protection of affected communities and strengthening grassroots peacebuilding.
