The European Council of Religious Leaders has presented a letter to the Patriarch of Moscow (Patriarch Kirill) to urge for the end of violence. To date, the Patriarch has not condemned the invasion.
Appeal to Patriarch of Moscow to help end the violence in Ukraine
On the 4th of March 2022, in response to the shocking and devastating Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace Europe, sent a personal communique to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill I, Patriarch of Moscow. The letter urged Patriarch Kirill with utmost urgency to,
‘petition the political authorities in Russia, to unconditionally oppose this brutal violence and the murder of innocent people, and to call for an immediate return to dialogue and negotiations.’
The letter also expressed the desire of the European Council of Religious Leaders to work together with the Russian Orthodox Church to bring about peace, justice, and reconciliation. The Council appealed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill I to discuss all possible ways that religion can play a role in ending this unconscionable war.
Patriarch Kirill was a former member of the European Council of Religious Leaders. Current President Rev. Dr Thomas Wipf expressed his hope that Patriarch Kirill still holds dear his former commitment to multireligious work for peace.
‘Together we have been committed to stand for peace and non-violence rooted in the values of all religions. We have urgently called on His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to be faithful to this common witness and to do everything in his power and influence to stand up for the immediate end of the brutal war against our brothers and sisters in Ukraine’
The letter was signed by President Rev. Dr Thomas Wipf and Secretary General Professor Mark Owen, on behalf of all members of the European Council of Religious Leaders.
The European Council of Religious Leaders is a constituent of Religions for Peace Europe
http://www.rfpeurope.org
Download this Letter
