“War is never a means to peace”: Catholic Bishops in North Africa Call for an End to Conflicts in Holy Land, Africa

The Catholic Church leaders who minister in the predominantly Muslim Northern African countries of Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco condemn the use of religious texts to justify territorial annexation and colonization, stressing that governments “should not be conflated with the people they represent.”

“We are for peace, deliberately for peace. We suffer with the victims, with all the victims. We are against war, against all wars, against all violence, and every act of terrorism,” the Catholic Church leaders say.

They add, “In no case can the Bible be used to legitimize the colonization and annexation of territory belonging to a people who seek only to live in justice and peace. It is essential to distinguish between peoples and their governments.”

According to the Bishops, the government of Israel does not represent the entire Israeli people. Likewise, Hamas does not represent the entire Palestinian people, they say.

They implore, “Let us pray to God that the leaders of the countries involved may have the courage of humility, sincerely listening to each other’s suffering, respecting each individual, and rejecting all hatred,” CERNA members say.

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They continue, “May they have the courage to pursue justice, rejecting any provocation, desire for destruction, or spirit of vengeance or domination. May they have the courage to hope, rooted in the human capacity to create paths of brotherhood and peace.”

“This thirst for peace aligns with God’s desire for the world: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. How can we prepare for the coming of the Prince of Peace while remaining silent about the scandal of this conflict, which violates all the principles of international law?” CERNA members pose.

The Catholic Bishops call for action from the international community, urging nations to support peace agreements rather than supplying weapons to warring parties. 

“Let us also pray to God that other nations commit to ensuring a peace agreement rather than supplying arms to the warring parties,” the Catholic Church leaders in the North African region further say.

They call on the people of God to dedicate this time of Advent to prayer for peace, as well as concrete gestures of reconciliation.