As the United States and Israel continued their campaign against Iran and the newest war continued to spread across the Middle East, bishops and Christian leaders appealed for peace before the conflict escalates any further. Source: OSV News.
The Catholic Church’s humanitarian giant Caritas Internationalis has also “unequivocally” condemned the attacks, which would “destabilise” the region.
The Australian this morning reports that US President Donald Trump said he was not ruling out sending US ground troops into Iran and justified the military campaign in his first public appearance since the attack began by saying it was necessary to “eliminate the grave threats posed to America by this terrible terrorist regime”.
Mr Trump also flagged a bigger wave of attacks still to come after suggesting a four to five week timeline for the military operation as the conflict broadens across the Middle East.
Bishop Paolo Martinelli, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen, expressed his “concern” about the situation and called on the faithful “to remain calm and serene, while at the same time carefully follow all the instructions given by our civil authorities”.
“Most of all, it is a time for all of us to remain united in prayer for peace. 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,” he wrote in a statement on the weekend.
Pope Leo XIV said on Sunday he was following developments in the region “with profound concern” and called for an end to the conflict before it becomes “an irreparable abyss.”
Echoing the Pope’s concerns, Caritas Internationalis said it “unequivocally condemns the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran”, which it said would only further destabilise the region.
“These acts of war increase the tension, violence and instability in the region, jeopardising prospects of peace, and constitute grave violations of human dignity, the rule of law, and international law, including the UN Charter and International Humanitarian Law, which protects civilians and non-combatants in conflict,” Caritas said in a statement.
“In this moment of rapidly escalating regional tension, Caritas urges all parties to step back from the brink immediately and diffuse the situation, to refrain from further military action, and to uphold their obligation to protect civilians without exception.”
FULL STORY
Bishops, Christian leaders call for peace, urge diplomacy as Middle East conflict escalates (By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV News)
Trump vows to crush Iran’s threat: no boots ruled out, more attacks ahead (By Joe Kelly, The Australian)
