The Church of Scotland has joined churches and religious organisations from across the world in calling for peace in Ukraine.

Following the Russian invasion which began on February 24, the Church joined with the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), the Lutheran World Federation, the Conference of European Churches, and World Council of Churches (WCC) to work together to collectively support the churches and people of Ukraine in seeking a peaceful solution.

Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: “Our prayers are with the Ukrainian people who are now under attack and in fear of their lives.

“We call on the UK Government to join with governments across the world and together persuade all parties to agree to a ceasefire and immediately return to the negotiating table.

“At the same time we ask the UK Government to prepare a generous humanitarian response to assist people fleeing the war.

“As a matter of urgency the government should prepare a plan to receive and resettle refugees from the conflict and support neighbouring countries to respond locally to the crisis.

“The Covid pandemic and the intensifying climate crisis has shown us that no catastrophe can be isolated and what affects one region affects all of us.

“More than ever, national governments need to find a way to work together for the sake of our common humanity.”

The (WCC) acting general secretary the Rev Prof Dr Ioan Sauca has endorsed an appeal issued by the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and urged President Putin to stop the war.

“The World Council of Churches affirms and supports the appeal issued on 24

February 2022 by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine (Moscow Patriarchate),” said Sauca. “Recalling the ties of history and affinity between the Ukrainian people and the Russian people, His Beatitude called directly on President Putin to stop the war, which he likened to Cain’s murder of Abel.”

This call must be heard, Sauca said. “WCC makes the same appeal to President Putin, to stop this fratricidal war, and to restore peace to the people and nation of Ukraine.”

Dr Sauca also wrote to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, asking him to mediate in the conflict. “In these times of hopelessness, many look to you as the one who could bring a sign of hope for a peaceful solution,” wrote Dr Sauca. “I write to Your Holiness as acting general secretary of the WCC but also as an Orthodox priest. Please, raise up your voice and speak on behalf of the suffering brothers and sisters, most of whom are also faithful members of our Orthodox Church.”

LWF General Secretary Anne Burghardt said: “Jesus calls us to be messengers of hope who work for peace. As Christian churches we therefore call for an immediate de-escalation of this conflict, so that the lives, human rights, and dignity of people in Ukraine are protected.”

CEC General Secretary Jørgen Skov Sørensen said: “This is a time for churches in Europe and globally to form a strong alliance of solidarity with people who fear the impact of war in Ukraine. This is a time to gather in prayer for people who possess the power to make decisions that will save lives and make peace possible.”

The WCRC Collegial General Secretariat, composed of Hanns Lessing, Philip

Peacock, and Phil Tanis, added: “As the Scriptures encourage us to turn away from evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11), we consider such an unprovoked attack as evil, and strive to do all we can to stand against it – while also preparing to assist those impacted by it.”

DONATIONS

The Church of Scotland is accepting donations towards the work of partner churches supporting refugees fleeing the conflict. Donations will be forwarded to Reformed Church in Hungary Aid (RCHA), which is working with the Reformed Church in Ukraine as well as border areas of neighbouring countries.

The Convener of the Faith Impact Forum of the Church of Scotland, the Very Rev Dr Susan Brown, wrote in a letter to Presbytery Clerks: “Though RCHA you can support those fleeing from the east and coming to the west of Ukraine where they can be helped through the churches there; those in the west already who don’t have access to their money when the banks run out and who will need food/help; and those who cross the borders into Hungary, Slovakia or Romania.”

Donations, with the reference ‘RCHA donation’ can be made into the following account:

Royal Bank of Scotland Church of Scotland No 1 Account Account no: 00134859

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