For Immediate Release, March 8, 2022
Over 150 prominent world religious leaders and clergy have signed a letter to Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, calling on him to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about taking immediate steps to de-escalate the conflict taking place in Ukraine, and seek a peaceful resolution.
The letter, translated into Russian, was sent to Patriarch Kirill and Metropolitan Hilarion on March 6. Signatories include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Swami Rameshwarananda Giri, Venerable Dharmakosajarn, and Rabbi David Rosen.
The religious leaders, representing many faith traditions worldwide, expressed their deep concern with the war and affirmed the key role religious leaders play in promoting peace between Russia and Ukraine. This letter encourages Patriarch Kirill to use his position as head of the Russian Orthodox Church for peacemaking. “In this moment, religious leaders are called to rise to the occasion on behalf of God, people, and all creatures,” the letter stated.
The signatories noted the current conflict has quickly resulted in significant loss of lives, of soldiers in both nation’s militaries and Ukrainian civilians. The conflict also poses a much wider risk of destruction beyond Ukraine, including the very real threat of a nuclear power plant accident and a larger conflict between nuclear armed powers.
About 59 million people in Russia, or 41% of the population, affiliate with the Russian Orthodox Church, by far the largest religious denomination in Russia, which has grown significantly since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Another 40% of the Russian population affiliate with a different Christian denomination or religion, or identify as “believers.” The interfaith letter was co-organized by The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, The Elijah Interfaith Institute, and the Swedish Theological Institute in Jerusalem.