The interreligious organization Religions for Peace issued a strong appeal for an immediate ceasefire and reconciliation in the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, where border clashes had caused casualties and displaced families.
“The pain suffered by our brothers and sisters in this region weighed heavily on our hearts. We at Religions for Peace expressed our deepest condolences to all the victims of violence, those displaced from their homes, and all those who longed for security, dignity, and peace,” the statement read, as reported by Fides.
Founded in 1970, Religions for Peace was described as the world’s largest multi-religious organization dedicated to fostering cooperation among faith communities. It operated through more than 90 national and regional interreligious councils and was active in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
In the appeal, signed by Secretary-General Francis Kuria, the group emphasised the need to overcome historical wounds that perpetuate cycles of violence. “At this critical time, when our global family was facing unprecedented upheaval, we were called to overcome divisions and move forward together in solidarity,” the statement said.
The document also drew attention to sacred sites along the Thai-Cambodian border. These, the group noted, should not have become sources of conflict but instead should have served as “enduring symbols of unity and respect, living testimonies to intertwined histories and spiritual affinity.”
“As people of faith, we had a moral obligation to transcend the barriers and ideologies that divided us,” the organization affirmed. It recalled the transformative power of interreligious solidarity to heal divisions and foster peace, as highlighted in its statement shared with Fides.
The appeal concluded by urging all parties to respect the July 28 ceasefire, engage in meaningful dialogue, and seek solutions that protected dignity, rights, and shared cultural heritage
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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