The world is deeply disturbed by the violence and bloodshed suffered by the people of Syria.

We urge a peaceful, political solution to the crisis in Syria without military intervention. 

We call for further clarification in regard to the chemical attack on 21 August in Damascus, for without more information and proof we cannot determine who was responsible for this attack.

We support the grass-roots Reconciliation (Mussalaha) Movement in Syria, which unites people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. 

We urge governments and the media to listen to the voices of all Syrians, particularly those who are working for a peaceful solution and who reject violence. 

We echo Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, and other religious leaders in calling everyone to pray for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the whole world.

As politicians in Australia debate whether to support the stand of President Obama on Syria, we draw attention to a comment by the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, the President of Caritas (Catholic Aid Agency) in Syria: “If there is an armed intervention, that would mean, I believe, a world war.”

 

5 September 2013

Signatories

Archbishop Denis Hart, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

Most Reverend Dr Philip Freier, Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne

Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser, AC CH (Former Prime Minister of Australia)

Sheikh Riad Galil OAM, Imam- West Heidelberg Mosque, President: Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia

His Grace, Bishop Suriel, Coptic Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions

Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (Melbourne)

Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, Primate of Australia, New Zealand

Rev. Harry Kerr, Pax Christi (Victoria)

Mr Frank Stuart, President, Victorian Council of Churches

Rev. Ian Smith, Executive Officer, Victorian Council of Churches

Rev. Graham McAnalley, Chairman, Council of Christians & Jews (Vic)

Most Rev. Hilton Deakin,  Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

Ms Peggy Page, Chair of Buddhist Council of Victoria

Rev. Tara Curlewis, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Australia

Most Rev. Peter  J. Elliott, Auxiliary Bishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

Archdeacon Emeritus Philip Newman (Chaplain, Hume Anglican Grammar)

Father Brian Nichols, St Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart

Peter Abrehart, Chairman, Melbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial Church

Rev. Dr Philip Marshall, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Adelaide

Sr Janet Mead RSM, Romero Community, Adelaide

Julian Burnside AO QC

Bryan Dawe, Political Satirist

Phil Glendenning, Director Edmund Rice Centre, President Refugee Council of Australia

Antony Loewenstein, independent journalist and author

Dr Fiona Hill, Almanar Consultancy, AMRIS

Joseph Wakim, OAM, Founder of Australian Arabic Council

Claire Woods, Chair, Fitzroy Learning Network 

Dr Jeremy Salt, Bilkent University, Turkey

Robert Bekhazi, Federal president – United Australian Lebanese Movement

Bishop Philip Huggins, Anglican Diocese of Melbourne

Bronwyn Halfpenny Victorian MP Thomastown District

Felicity Costigan, CEO Mary Ward International Australia

Sandra Diafas, Principal, Star of the Sea College Gardenvale

Mr. Medhat Attia  Director  of the Australian Coptic Movement Association

Rev. David B. Smith, Parish Priest, Holy Trinity Dulwich Hill

 Ms Susan Dirgham, National Coordinator of AMRIS

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References:

Church Statements on Possible Attack on Syria  

 Pope calls for Catholics to pray and fast for Syria on Saturday

Syrian-born patriarch: ‘Enough with the intervention’ Syrian-born Melkite Catholic Patriarch Gregoire III Laham warned against armed intervention in his country, saying, “It has brought us to the tragedy we are now living in Syria.” 

Mother Agnes Mariam, 28 August 2013 Confronting the chemical lies in Syria  

World famous Palestinian Muslim doctor urges people to join the pope and raise our voices against war .

Vatican urges caution over Syria chemical arms claims

Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby warns against ‘rushing to judgment’ over Syria intervention

Syria: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem calls for caution

Syrian Archbishop Opposes U.S. Strike Against Syria

Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, archbishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch

 

Gregory iii: Democracy is build with peace; US attack is a criminal act

ASIA/SYRIA – The Grand Mufti desires to be in St. Peter’s with the Pope to pray for peace in Syria: Muslims and other groups join in the appeal