With people of good faith from around the world, we lament the unprovoked incursion of the Russian armed forces into Ukraine, and the war that has resulted in unimaginable death, destruction and the dislocation of so many innocent noncombatants. While we know that words alone are an insufficient response to evil, we are required to speak out and bear witness to the truth we know.

We deplore the perversion of religious symbols and ideas to glorify narrow nationalistic aspirations and to justify genocidal acts of aggression and brutality. More broadly, we denounce the use of lies and propaganda as instruments of national policy in both war and peacetime.

We celebrate the common humanity of those individuals, faith communities, non-profit organizations and nations that have stepped up in compassionate and creative ways to relieve the suffering of the Ukrainian people, and pledge ourselves to support their efforts in ways both spiritual and tangible.

In a world where violence has too often become “business as usual,” we are resolved to work and pray for the peaceful resolution of conflict among persons and nations. In a time of multiple threats to our very existence, we invite all people of goodwill to join with us in this effort, knowing that nothing less than the future of humanity is at stake.

Signatories:

The Rev. J.C. Austin, senior pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem

The Reverend Jennika M. Borger, chaplain, Moravian University

Rev. Madelyn Campbell, minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley

The Rt. Rev. C. Hopeton Clennon, senior pastor, Central Moravian Church

Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, associate pastor of formation & justice, First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem

Rick Dow, member, Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting

Rev. Elder Elizabeth Goudy, Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley

The Rev. Canon Dale Grandfield, The Episcopal Cathedral Church of the Nativity

The Very Rev. Barry Harte, The Episcopal Cathedral Church of the Nativity

Sister Bonnie Kleinschuster, OSF, School Sisters of St. Francis

Rev. Candy LaBar, lead pastor, Wesley UMC

Sister Virginelle Makos, OSF, School Sisters of St. Francis

Rabbi Steve Nathan, director of Jewish life and associate chaplain, Lehigh University

The Reverend Laura Oesterle, assistant chaplain, Moravian University

Rev. Robert T. Rapp Jr., pastor of missions, Christ Church UCC

Rev. Cynthia Simmons, honorably retired, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Rev. Stephen A. Simmons, PhD, honorably retired, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Rabbi Michael Singer, Congregation Brith Sholom

Rev. Suzanne M. Trump, pastor, St. John’s Windish Lutheran Church