Church leaders across the Christian world have voiced deep concern over the escalating war on Iran, warning of the risks to civilians, calling on governments to pursue diplomacy and restraint, and urging prayers for peace.
Church leaders in the Middle East appealed for de-escalation. The Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon called “for an immediate halt to the spiral of violence” and urged “a return to constructive dialogue and responsible diplomatic action.” The Patriarchs warned that “the continuation of this spiral of violence threatens the dignity of the human person” and risks grave consequences for the region’s people.
World Council of Churches said it was alarmed by the growing hostilities following US and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes across the region. General Secretary, Rev Dr Jerry Pillay, warned the conflict risks wider devastation, saying the “dangerous spiral of violence places millions of civilians at immediate risk” and insisting that “military confrontation and retaliatory escalation cannot bring sustainable security or peace.”
Pope Leo XIV said he was following developments with “profound concern” and warned against further escalation. He said peace “is not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” urging leaders to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes “an irreparable abyss.”
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, echoed the Pope’s appeal, warning that “violence only multiplies suffering; war is not the answer and is always a defeat for humanity.”
The Uniting Church in Australia also called for restraint. President, Rev. Charissa Suli, said the church could not remain silent while civilian suffering grows. “The protection of human life must remain the highest priority in all political and military decisions,” she said, warning that escalating force risks drawing entire regions “into deeper suffering.”
National Bishop Paul Smith of the Lutheran Church of Australia likewise warned that the crisis could expand far beyond the region. The military action, he said, has “tremendous potential to draw in global powers and cause harm on an extraordinarily wide scale,” urging Christians to “seek peace and pursue it.”
Australian Quakers also condemned the escalation, saying they were “alarmed by the decision by the USA and Israel to attack Iran, and by Iran’s retaliatory strikes around the Middle East.” In their statement they added, “War is never the answer. War causes endless human suffering and damage to our world.”
The message from Church leaders is consistent: escalating violence risks wider conflict, while diplomacy, restraint and renewed commitment to peace are urgently needed
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On Monday 9 March 2026 at 8:30pm AEDT, Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia will host a National Online Service of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East. To participate, please register here
National Bishop Paul Smith of the Lutheran Church of Australia has developed a Prayer Service for Peace in the Middle East