Canada’s Catholic bishops are reminding faithful of “the urgent need to pray for peace” as tensions in the Middle East rise.
Newsroom, June 14, 2025, Gaudium Press –On June 13, 2025, as conflict intensified between Middle East nations of Israel and Iran, Canada’s Catholic bishops issued a heartfelt plea for the faithful to pray for peace, invoking the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Apostles Peter and Paul during this time of global unrest.
Middle East Tensions Flare
Israel launched a series of overnight airstrikes on Iran, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, targeting nuclear installations, military bases, and key personnel. Israeli officials justified the strikes as a preemptive measure, pointing to Iran’s accelerated nuclear weapons program and its ongoing threats against Israel’s existence. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had recently reported Iran’s increased enriched uranium production. On June 12, 2025, the IAEA formally censured Iran for breaching non-proliferation commitments, marking its first such resolution in nearly 20 years.
The Israeli operation killed at least three Iranian military commanders, with Iran reporting the deaths of six scientists. Iran retaliated with ballistic missile strikes on Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, which Iranian authorities claimed were in response to civilian casualties caused by Israel’s actions. Israeli emergency services reported at least 34 injuries, with fears of a rising toll.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on June 13, 2025, to address the crisis. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called for calm, stating, “Military actions endangering nuclear facilities pose severe risks to Iran, the region, and the world.”
A Spiritual Response to Crisis
In a bilingual press release issued on June 13, 2025, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) urged Catholics to turn to prayer to seek peace. The bishops highlighted June’s spiritual focus in the Latin Church on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of Christ’s infinite love and desire for humanity’s salvation. “In this month, we are called to seek the Lord’s mercy and peace for our fractured world,” they wrote, noting that the Sacred Heart is a wellspring of reconciliation.
For Eastern Catholics, June centers on the Apostles Peter and Paul, celebrated on June 29. The bishops referenced the Byzantine liturgy, which speaks of their mission spreading from Jerusalem “into all the earth,” encouraging the faithful to seek their intercession for global peace and mercy.
Actions for Peace
The CCCB called on parishes, families, religious communities, ecclesial movements, and individuals to weave prayers for peace into their spiritual lives. Specific suggestions include:
- Daily Devotions: Offering prayers and novenas to the Sacred Heart, especially leading up to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart on June 27, 2025.
- Eastern Catholic Traditions: Dedicating the Apostles’ Fast in June to peace in the Middle East, emulating the sacrificial spirit of St. Peter and St. Paul.
- Community Engagement: Practicing corporal works of mercy locally and contributing to trusted charities aiding the Holy Land and Middle East.
The bishops emphasized that prayer, combined with concrete acts of charity, can help foster peace in a region gripped by violence.
A Call Amid Global Fears
With the risk of a wider regional conflict looming, the CCCB’s message echoes international calls for de-escalation. By uniting in prayer and action, Canada’s Catholic community is invited to play a vital role in seeking divine guidance and supporting those impacted by the crisis.
Raju Hasmukh with data sourced from:
– Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Press Release, June 13, 2025.
– International Atomic Energy Agency, Statement on Iran’s Non-Proliferation Breaches, June 12, 2025.
-United Nations Security Council, Emergency Session Summary, June 13, 2025.
-Israeli Emergency Services, Injury Updates, June 13, 2025.
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