“We urge the EU and its Member States to continue acting in unity and with determination: intensifying their diplomatic, political and humanitarian engagement to protect human dignity, uphold international law and support inclusive peacebuilding initiatives, ensuring that the voices of all, including religious communities, are heard and their rights respected”. This appeal – released today – comes from the bishops of the European Union who met in Cyprus from 22 to 24 April for the Spring Plenary Assembly of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), held in Nicosia in the context of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The delegated bishops adopted a declaration entitled “An urgent plea to seek peace and pursue it”, expressing their concern for the fate of “all those suffering from devastating violence, instability and injustice in the Holy Land, Lebanon, Iran and the wider Middle East region”. “We keep in our minds and hearts in a special way Ukraine, Sudan, as also other parts of the world enduring the evil of war and violence”. “We are deeply saddened by these tragedies resulting in the loss of countless human lives, widespread destruction and humanitarian crises affecting so many families”.

The bishops therefore call on the European Union to take a more prominent role in diplomacy and negotiations. “The European Union”, the bishops say, “born as a project of peace, has a particular responsibility to act as a credible force for peace and an active promoter of stability and dialogue across the Middle East region, while contributing to maritime and energy security and nuclear non-proliferation efforts as part of a comprehensive peace process”. “At the same time”, they add, “the Union is called to exercise solidarity with Member States affected by the regional instability and to adequately respond to the repercussions of these conflicts within European societies, notably with regard to fostering social cohesion and addressing the increased cost of living”.

In their statement, the bishops also talk about what they experienced in Cyprus, “a land marked by its rich cultural and religious heritage, but also by a history that continues to bear the wounds of division”, which reminds us “of the importance of sustained efforts towards trust-building and reconciliation”. “We were deeply moved”, the statement reads, “by the witness of the Maronite communities in the northern part of the island, whose continued presence is important to foster dialogue and contribute to a culture of encounter”.

The COMECE Assembly was held in Nicosia in the context of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which began in January 2026. In line with Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), COMECE engages with each rotating EU Presidency, at different levels, offering its expertise and contributing to the policy priorities and initiatives of the Presidency. On this occasion, the bishops had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou, with whom they addressed the key challenges facing Cyprus, particularly the continued division of the island, as well as the access to Christian places of worship, education and culture and the protection and preservation of cultural heritage.