Catholic leaders in Iran and Israel are praying for peace while violence continues to climb, after the murders of high military and Iranian nuclear scientists by Israel, as well as the air attacks of the latter against Iran’s military and nuclear facilities.
Israel launched the first attack on June 13, and Prime Minister BenjamÃn Netanyahu said the goal was to stop Iran’s nuclear program. In response, Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles, most of them intercepted by Israel. More than 200 Iranians and at least 24 Israelis have died.
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Cardinal Dominique Mathieu, of the Archdiocese of Tehran-Isfahan, in Iran, as well as Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, are praying for peace in a context in which many fear that the conflict can climb even more.
In one entrevista with AsiaNewsCardinal Mathieu said, a few hours after the first attack, that “we see … once again that peace is sought from preventive attacks instead of resorting to dialogue at the negotiating table.”
“We pray for peace, the result of dialogue and consensus prevailing. That the Holy Spirit guides this process,” he said.
The patriarchy of Jerusalem published a prayer “for a fair peace” in Your X account A few hours after the first attack:
“God of Peace, ‘You are the same yesterday, today and always’ (Heb 13, 8). You told us: ‘My peace left you, my peace I give you; I do not give it to you how the world gives it. That your hearts are not disturbed or afraid’ (Jn 14, 27 Discuss the prayer. We raise our tired hearts to you, Lord, yearning for your light in the midst of the shadows of fear and restlessness.
“Teach us to be agents of peace, because ‘happy those who build peace, because they will be called children of God’ (Mt 5, 9). Sow the seeds of reconciliation and make us instruments of your peace in a wounded world,” he continues.
“Grant us the grace to live according to your commandments: ‘In what depends on you, live in peace with everyone’ (RM 12, 18). There are in our cities and regions: ‘Peace in your walls and security in your palaces’ (Ps 122, 7). In the midst of the tests, we proclaim: ‘The Lord is my light and salvation; who will I fear?’ (Ps 27, 1).
“We trust your eternal promise: ‘Behold, I’m with you every day, until the end of the world’ (Mt 28, 20). Amen,” he concludes.
Pope Leo XIV also referred last weekend to the escalation of violence, considering that “the situation in Iran and Israel has seriously deteriorated,” and launched a call to “responsibility and reason.”
“Our commitment to build a safer world, free of nuclear threats, must be carried out from respectful encounters and a sincere dialogue,” said the pontiff.
“It is the duty of all countries” to look for “paths of reconciliation” and promote solutions based on justice, fraternity and the common good to achieve lasting security and peace in the region.
Israel’s attack is produced in the middle of a dialogue in progress between the United States and Iran to avoid an armed conflict. The American and Iranian representatives had a scheduled meeting for June 15 in Oman, but they will cancel the meeting after the attack.
Translated and adapted by ACI Press. Originally published in CNA.
Tyler Arnold
Tyler Arnold is a reporter of the National Catholic Register. He previously worked at The Center Square and has published in various media, including The Associated Press, National Review, The American Conservative and The Federalist.