Humanity in Middle East in “danger of spiralling into primitive barbarism”: Cardinal in South Africa Calls for Peace

In his statement, Cardinal Brislin recalls the tragic loss of human life and the abduction of hostages during the 7 October 2023 attack and calls for respect of human dignity.

“We hold sacred the dignity of all human life,” he says, adding that this principle has guided the condemnation of both the initial attacks by Hamas and the ongoing retaliatory strikes by Israel.

He refers to the “staggering death toll” and destruction in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon as evidence of a disproportionate response, terming the situation a “shame on all humanity.”

The Local Ordinary of Cape Town, who was among the three Africans named Cardinals on July 9, and created Cardinals during the 30 September 2023 Consistory emphasizes the moral responsibility of nations and international bodies in preventing the escalation of violence in the Middle East and expresses concern over Israel's nuclear capability.

He also faults the uneven application of international law and the failure of the United Nations to broker an agreement for ceasefire and peace, raising alarms about the broader implications of continued violent conflicts.

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“The use of famine as a weapon of war must be condemned in the strongest terms,” Cardinal Brislin laments, adding that the involvement of Iran and the threat of a broader regional conflict calls for urgent interventions for a ceasefire and peace.

He underscores the futility of violent conflicts, saying, “War is futile and will not bring about peace.”

The South African Cardinal urgess “all parish communities, as well as all Catholics in their families and individually, to fervently pray for peace and to use all peaceful means to affirm our commitment to protect and enhance human dignity.”

He calls upon the people of God to pray the Holy Rosary, turning to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of peace, for intercession during this month of October.

The Catholic Church has dedicated the month of October to the Holy Rosary, a popular devotion during the month that starts off with the Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus on October 1, has the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary marked on October 7, and World Mission Sunday (WMS) celebrated on the second last Sunday of October.