The presidents of the bishops’ conferences of Europe issued an “unwavering appeal for a just and sustainable peace in all conflict zones on this continent and across the globe.”
“Our continent of Europe is facing the largest military conflict since World War II,” the prelates, who were meeting in Salzburg, said in their October 29 statement. “No one can remain indifferent to the atrocities taking place in Ukraine. Indeed, we must never become accustomed to such blatant violations of the norms of civilization.”
The bishops also recalled St. Francis of Assisi, who “teaches us to greet one another with these words: ‘May the Lord give you peace.’ Through forgiveness Christians transform their hearts and pave the way for peace. We know that this is never an easy path. But it is the path of the Gospel.”