Editorial: Continue praying for peace

It’s now been more than a year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine brought scenes of devastation and death to Europe unseen there since the 1940s in World War II. This past month, in the Middle East, Hamas unleashed one of the most vicious terrorist attacks in history, resulting in what has been described as the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, again prompting a war that already is taking a massive toll on civilians, with many fears that it will escalate into a still broader conflict. 

Our hearts break for all of those suffering these things: for those killed, those wounded and abused, those held hostage, those who mourn, those whose homes and livelihoods are destroyed, those who must attempt to flee or live in fear for their lives. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “deliberate hatred is contrary to charity” and is, in fact, a grave sin when one deliberately wishes one’s neighbor grave harm. 

It also reminds us that peace is necessary for human flourishing, and that it is not “merely the absence of war, and it is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries. Peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of fraternity. Peace is ‘the tranquility of order.’ Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity.” 

Church leaders have already called on two occasions last month for intensive prayer and fasting for peace. We must continue to pray for those intentions. 

We continue to beg God for the gift of peace through the cross of Christ. We beg for an end to hostilities and for genuine peace, that tranquility of a just order where hatred and enmity are overcome, to rule all hearts the world over.