The Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe to the United Nations Security Council: stop the cycle of violence in Iraq

14 Aug 2014

An open letter from CCEE to the United Nations Security Council St Gallen, 12 August 2014

The Council of European Bishops’ Conferences has sent a letter signed by the Presidents of Bishops’ Conferences from the entire continent members of CCEE to the United Nations Security Council.

In it the bishops call on the international community to take urgent “decisions to put an end to the atrocious actions against Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq”. A copy of this letter will be handed over to different European governments and European Union authorities that they might join in this appeal.

The European bishops hope that other institutional, cultural and religious bodies might join in this initiative condemning what is happening in this violation of the right to life, security and religious freedom.

It is urgent – the prelates state – to undertake concrete humanitarian steps to respond to the desperate situation of the Iraqi Christians and hope that “in this case, too, the international community may be able to respond with rapid assistance to the many refugees and guarantee their security in returning to their cities and homes”.

The Catholic Church in Europe wishes to express its closeness to all those who are experiencing moments of fear and terror. It is committed to carrying out gestures of solidarity which are already underway to support the suffering peoples and families. The bishops assure them of their prayers for peace and with great dedication raise their voices in calling on the United Nations to act with the necessary urgency on behalf of these and all the other victims of war and violence who are suffering and awaiting the world’s solidarity.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

  • The Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE) encompasses the current 33 European Bishops’ Conferences, represented by their Presidents, the Archbishops of Luxembourg, of the Principality of Monaco, the Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus and the Bishop of Chişinău (Moldova Rep.), the Eparchial Bishop of Mukachevo and the Apostolic Administrator of Estonia. The current President is Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Primate of Hungary; the Vice-President is Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa. The General Secretary is Mgr Duarte da Cunha. The Secretariat is based at St Gallen (Switzerland).www.ccee.eu

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678