Your Holiness, beloved brother in Christ,

 

the invasion of Ukraine is an international catastrophe that cannot be justified by anything. Peace and security are in grave danger, not only in Ukraine, but also in Russia and the whole world. At this moment, innocent civilians, women, men and children, as well as soldiers on both sides are being killed and injured. Every day their numbers increase. Hundreds of thousands are fleeing.

 

United with World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca we urgently appeal to Your Holiness: “Raise up your voice so that the war can be stopped!”

 

We are sure that neither the Russian Christians nor the Russian people as a whole want this injustice and these thousands of terrible losses on both sides. We feel connected to you and stand with all our brothers and sisters in Russia who are standing up for peace, democracy and human rights and against this unlawful invasion. Russia is being ostracized internationally at all levels and is experiencing its worst economic crisis in decades. Hundreds of millions of people around the world are currently taking to the streets to protest for peace and against the attack on Ukraine.

 

As Christians from all over the world we ask Your Holiness for Christ’s sake: Please do everything for an immediate ceasefire and for an end to this war! Stand up against the invasion that has brought your beautiful country to the brink of collapse! Refuse to support this war and call Christians and all people of good will in your country to openly express their disagreement!

 

Jesus says:

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

(Matthew 5,9)

 

Please become a key peacemaker at this crucial hour.

 

We pray for you, may the Lord bless you!