Christmas Truce in Ukraine

As people of faith and conscience,
believing in the sanctity of all life on this planet,
we call for a
CHRISTMAS TRUCE IN UKRAINE.

Inspired by the miraculous Christmas truce of 1914, faith leaders of many diverse traditions petition the Biden administration to push for negotiations.

"In the spirit of the truce that occurred in 1914 during the First World War, we urge our government to take a leadership role in bringing the war in Ukraine to an end through supporting calls for a ceasefire and negotiated settlement, before the conflict results in a nuclear war that could devastate the world's ecosystems and annihilate all of God's creation." 

Signers include Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Jewish Renewal movement; Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR); Valarie Kaur, Sikh leader and founder of Revolutionary Love Project; Thay Phap An, Plum Village Buddhist community; Bishop William J. Barber II, Repairers of the Breach and Poor People's Campaign; Rev. Grayland Scott Hagler, Fellowship of Reconciliation; Dr. Zoharah Simmons, National Council of Elders; Mary Novak, Executive Director of NETWORK Lovvy for Catholic Social Justice.

Click here for a full list of signers. If you are a faith leader, add your name here.

"As we enter this winter holiday filled with prayers for peace and liberation, we are praying and acting for the same kind of miracle that over a century ago compelled the soldeirs of WWI to put down their weapons and celebrate peace," said Zoharah Simmons from the National Council of Elders.

"Negotiations is not a euphemism for capitulation... It is simply a recognition that the end of this war cannot be achieved by more war. Any prospect for a pause in hostilities should be acted on," according to Media Benjamin of CODEPINK.

The Christmas Truce in Ukraine effort was initiated by the Fellowship of Reconciliation USA, the National Council of Elders, CODEPINK and the Peace in Ukraine Coalition. Click here for more information and videos found on the FORUSA webpage. Or go to https://forusa.org/ukrainemedia/