Church leaders call for ceasefire in Ukraine
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Church leaders in Scotland have united in their call for peace following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week.
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Lord Jim Wallace 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."
Speaking on Thursday, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church Most Rev Mark Strange said: “We have listened and prayed for the political leaders of the world as they have engaged with the complex and worrying situation at the Ukrainian border.
"We have heard national arguments, economic arguments, historic arguments and pleas for diplomacy.
“Early this morning all that has changed.
"Now our thoughts and prayers must be with those who woke to the sound of missiles exploding, with fear for their children on active duty, and for those families fleeing from fighting.
"As Christians we are called to be people of prayer. Our prayer is for peace, and also for the strength to offer ourselves in the service of others.
“Let us pray for peace, and prepare ourselves to offer support where it is needed.”
Quakers in Britain's recording clerk Paul Parker said “Our belief in the preciousness of all human life leads us to oppose all war.
"We know war leads to unimaginable suffering.
"In particular, exposing children to violence can have lifelong damaging effects.
“All sides should commit to establishing and respecting humanitarian corridors allowing civilians to flee the fighting.
"We also appeal for conduct that avoids embedding grievances and injustices that will become the seeds of future violent conflict.
"Crucially, this means doing everything possible to avoid and resist the creation of enmity between peoples.
"It also means persevering with efforts to engage in dialogue and preparing the ground for the return of people to their homes."
A prayer has been produced by the Scottish Church Leaders Forum - representatives from Church Of Scotland, Scottish Episcopal Church, Roman Catholic Church, Salvation Army, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), United Free Church of Scotland, Free Church of Scotland, United Reformed Church (Scotland), Baptist Union of Scotland, Methodist Church (Scotland) and Congregational Federation in Scotland - as they stand in solidarity with all those who face the perils of war.
Prayer For Ukraine
Living God,
Creator and giver of life to all people:
We ask that you would hear our prayer for peace amongst the nations
And for ending of conflict in Ukraine.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Who shall judge between the nations:
We ask that that you would lead the nations in the paths of peace
And that the dividing wall of hostility would be broken down.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Who has inspired faith across the ages:
Grant peace in the midst of war
And bring harmony to the commonwealth of nations.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Who gave his only Son that we might have life:
We ask that you would pour out your Holy Spirit
And inspire in us hope that peace will be renewed.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
