The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), through its president Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, vice president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio S. David, and secretary general Cardinal Isao Kikuchi, has issued a strong pastoral appeal for peace, justice, and moral responsibility, urging an end to violence and a renewed commitment to dialogue amid rising global tensions.
In a statement dated April 15, 2026, titled “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” (Mt 5:9), the leadership of the FABC called on “all people of goodwill, and those entrusted with responsibility among the nations” to act decisively to halt ongoing conflicts and promote reconciliation.
Expressing solidarity with Pope Leo XIV, the bishops warned against the growing normalization of violence and the misuse of faith to justify war. They emphasized that peace must be rooted in justice, dialogue, and respect for human dignity.
Drawing inspiration from the Sermon on the Mount, the statement underscored that being peacemakers is “not a pious ideal” but a moral imperative. It cautioned that in a time of weakening global institutions and rising reliance on force and domination, nations must resist the temptation to abandon dialogue.
The bishops outlined key appeals, including:
Ending ongoing hostilities and stopping the cycle of violence that claims innocent lives
Returning to negotiations with sincerity and courage
Upholding international law and humanitarian norms, especially to protect the most vulnerable
Promoting moral diplomacy focused on the common good rather than narrow national interests
Reflecting on Asia’s own history of conflict and reconciliation, the bishops noted that peace is never achieved through domination but through patient dialogue, mutual respect, and justice.
“As a Church called to be a sign and instrument of unity for the whole human race, we believe that we cannot remain silent,” the statement said, adding that the Church’s mission is to form consciences, speak truth, and keep hope alive even in difficult times.
The FABC also invited the faithful and all people of goodwill to join in prayer and action to build a world where conflicts are resolved through wisdom rather than weapons, and through trust rather than fear.
The statement concluded with a prayer that the Lord, “our peace,” may guide nations away from destruction and toward reconciliation.
