A Letter to the Filipino Katoliko: On Israel-Iran conflict and the escalating tensions in the Middle East

 

On Israel-Iran conflict and the escalating tensions in the Middle East
A Letter to the Filipino Katoliko

Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are all aware that last Friday the 13th of June 2025, Israel launched a provocative strike against Iran that immediately Iran retaliated. Both attacks which may differed by intensity have claimed lives, destroyed properties and infrastructures, and most especially have heightened the hostile peace and conflict situation in the Middle East. Since then, tensions intensified in the region and globally.

As children of God, it is painful for us to see our brethren Muslims, Jews, Christians alike suffering from the impact of the escalating war. And this is happening while our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land continue to starve, in trauma and continue to endure the bombardments and uncertainty.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9), the Lord Jesus Christ told us. But, in this very period peacemaking is very hard to begin. But we can start by lifting each other’s spirit in prayer and solidarity actions.

Let us all join efforts calling and pressuring the leaders of nations to end immediately the violence and find diplomatic means democratically resolving the conflict. And the victims’ rights to food, medicine, security, well-being and ultimately to justice and peace should be fulfilled.

Let us also pray and call our Philippine government leaders and agencies to take urgent actions for repatriation and safety of the Overseas Filipino Workers in the region including sustenance support for them.

Let us not lost our faith to God’s guidance and blessings to provide those caught in the crossfire the blanket of His protection, and the peaceful and democratic end of the war.

Your Brother in Christ,

Most Rev Pedro P. Fenis, Jr
Filipino Katoliko
Head Bishop
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FILIPINO KATOLIKO
Office of the Head Bishop
San Antonio de Padua church
Poblacion, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur

June 21, 2025