President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Charissa Suli, has written to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Australian Greens and other Australian political leaders, urging multi-partisan support for the Australian Government to call for peace and an immediate ceasefire across Iran and the wider Middle East.
The call comes amid escalating conflict across the region following US–Israel strikes on 28 February.
“The pursuit of security through escalating force risks drawing entire regions – and potentially the world – into deeper suffering,” Rev Suli said. “Political leaders carry a profound moral responsibility to choose the hard work of restraint and peacebuilding over more killing and destruction.”
The Uniting Church’s call echoes appeals from global Christian leaders and bodies, including Pope Leo XIV, the World Council of Churches and the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
Earlier this week, more than 140 people joined Rev Suli in a National Online Service of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East. Participants from across Australia, including ecumenical partners and people of other faiths, gathered to pray for peace, compassion and wisdom.
Pastor Jirair Ghazarian, joining from Lebanon, shared the reality facing communities in Beirut and across the region where many families have been displaced by violence.
Through prayer and public witness, the Uniting Church continues to seek justice, reconciliation and lasting peace.
Photo: Majid Khahi/ISNA-WANA.
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