Photo: CEC/Albin Hillert
The Conference of European Churches joins its Member Churches and international partner organisations in prayer for peace across the globe. “The recent attacks in Europe, the ongoing war in Ukraine, military clashes in the Holy Land, and the immense loss of human lives, calls us to join our hands in prayers for just peace, resulting into actions that end the violence in our broken world today,” says CEC General Secretary Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen.
The Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the EU (COMECE), with whom CEC works closely, highlighted words from Pope Francis. “May the attacks and weapons stop. Please! And may it be understood that terrorism and war do not lead to any resolutions, but only to the death and suffering of many innocent people. War is a defeat! Every war is a defeat. Let us pray that there be peace in Israel and in Palestine.”
COMECE President H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, said in a statement, “Turning to Mary, the Queen of Peace, let us pray that there be peace in Israel and in Palestine.”
The patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem issued a call for a special day of prayer and fasting for peace observed on 17 October in Jerusalem “in support of all those who have suffered in this war and of the families reeling from the violence.”
Joining other voices of faith, the Protestant Church in German (EKD) is currently calling for prayers for peace. The EKD council chairwoman Annette Kurschus, prays for peace with these words, “God of love, we ask You to look after the people of the Holy Land, Jews, Christians and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians, the living and the dead.” Full prayer in German.
“God, let the mighty leaders come to their senses! Fill them with courage to make peace! Be the shield and protection of all who are attacked in this war. May just peace become reality,” reads text from the Church of Norway website, joining a call from the World council of Churches in praying for peace.
Since its inception the Conference of European Churches is fully committed to the cause of just peace and reconciliation. CEC's initiative Pathways to Peace focuses on Ukraine, bringing together European Churches, engaging in dialogue with European Institutions, addressing crucial political concerns, and advocating for the protection of destroyed religious sites in Ukraine and beyond.