Panaji: The Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC), led by its president Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, has expressed solidarity with Pope Leo XIV and echoed his urgent appeal for peace.
It has appealed to “end ongoing hostilities and halt the spiral of violence that continues to claim innocent lives”. It is appealing to return to the negotiating table, to respect international law and humanitarian norms, and pursue the path of moral diplomacy.“In a time when the fragility of international law and the weakening of global institutions are becoming increasingly evident, the temptation is strong to fall back on the logic of power-on force, deterrence and domination.
Yet the Gospel calls us to a different path: the path of justice, dialogue and peace rooted in human dignity,” Ferrao, who is also the archbishop of Goa and Daman, said. “We have heard with clarity the voice of Pope Leo, who reminds the world that violence can never be the foundation of a just and lasting peace, and that invoking God to justify war is a distortion of faith.
”In the pastoral appeal titled, ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’, the FABC goes on to add, “Asia knows well the cost of war, the wounds of division and the long journey towards reconciliation.
From our own histories, we have learned that peace is never achieved through domination but through patient dialogue, mutual respect and the difficult work of justice.”“As a Church that is called to be a sign and instrument of unity for the whole human race, we believe that we cannot remain silent. Our mission is not to wield power, but to form consciences, to speak truth, and to keep alive the hope that peace is possible. We invite all the faithful, and all people of goodwill, to join us in prayer and in action-for a world where conflicts are resolved not by weapons, but by wisdom; not by fear, but by trust,” the pastoral appeal further stated.
