The European Bishops (Council of European Episcopal Conferences) have drafted a joint document "Together for Peace", in Italian, English and Spanish. «In the face of the suffering, destruction and death which the noble Syrian people have been enduring for too long, we reaffirm our 'No' to war». The Bishops are thinking especially «all the Christian faithful and their families who have been particularly affected by the conflict in Syria, through killings and a mass exodus which risks wiping out a more than thousand-year-long presence in that area of the world all the Christian faithful and their families who have been particularly affected by the conflict in Syria, through killings and a mass exodus which risks wiping out a more than thousand-year-long presence in that area of the world».

 

«Aware that true peace can only come from God», the Bishops exhort everyone to «look to God to enter on the path which brings an end to hostilities, putting weapons down and opening the way to negotiation, dialogue, reconciliation and peace. It is never too late to build a future together». This document, signed conjointly by the President of CCEE, Card. Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, and Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford, concludes: «We are sure that, with God's help, good sense can prevail and bring about a peaceful living side-by-side in truth, justice, love, freedom and respect for all minorities, especially the Christians in the Country».