NOTE: Pax Christi USA has signed onto the call for a Christmas truce in the war in Ukraine. In our first week of Advent PSA (Pray-Study-Act), we encouraged our members, local groups and state/regional chapters to join the call. Read the truce below and click on the link at the bottom to add your name or sign on your community, parish, local group, etc.
Let us call for a ceasefire in Ukraine for Christmas 2022/2023, from the 25 December to the 7 January, as a sign of our shared humanity, reconciliation, and peace.
The Christmas Truce of 1914 in the midst of World War I was a symbol of hope and courage, when the people of warring countries organized an armistice on their own authority and joined in spontaneous reconciliation and fraternization. This was proof that even during the most violent conflicts, in the words of Pope Benedict XV, “the guns may fall silent at least upon the night the angels sang”.
We turn to the leaders of the warring parties: let the weapons be silent. Give people a moment of peace and, through this moment, open the way to negotiations.
We call on the international community to strongly support and advocate for a Christmas ceasefire and to push for a new start to negotiations between the two sides.
Our vision and goal is a new peace architecture for Europe which includes security for all European countries on the basis of common security.
Peace, reconciliation, a shared sense of humanity can triumph over the hatred, violence and guilt that currently dominate the war. Let us be reminded that we are all humans and that war and destruction against one another is senseless.
A Christmas truce is a much needed opportunity to again recognize our compassion for one another. Together – we are convinced – the cycle of destruction, suffering and death can be overcome.
Who could refuse to sign this most sincere and Jesus-inspired letter? Beauty springs from its sincerity and goodness. Yes, if for nothing else than to remember respectfully the birth of Jesus, perhaps our leaders who flaunt their Catholic Christianity and simultaneously fill their bank accounts with kick-backs from the arms manufacturers will listen to this plea for a fortnight of peace.
David-Ross Gerling, PhD
Recently, representatives of nonviolence movements in Ukraine and Russia stated that part of a negotiations forum/panel/discussion should include the warring parties, representatives from the Southern Hemisphere, and spiritual leaders–primarily Pope Francis and Archbishop Kirill. Perhaps, Buddhist and Muslim representatives as well. These nonviolence representatives also look to a ceasefire(Dec. 25-Jan. 7) as a most opportune time to convene. Pray that this opportunity materializes and bears fruit. Peace!
Excellent idea! I pray every day that this terrible war can be ended while there are still some alive Ukranians!