Bishops of North Africa say "War is never the means to peace - Hamas is not the entire Palestinian people - In no case can the Bible be used to legitimize..." FULL TEXT

Following their ad limina visit, with Pope Francis, and general assembly in Rome, the Bishops of the Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa (C.E.R.N.A), release a message calling on political leaders in the Middle East to embrace the courage of humility to stop the spiral violence in the region and urge other nations to stop supplying weapons to the warring parties  The members of the Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa (C.E.R.N.A), have joined their voices to express deep concern and once again plea for peace amidst the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land. The plea came as the regional body, bringing together the Bishops of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Western Sahara, concluded its annual assembly and their customary Ad Limina visit to Rome on 24 November.

FULL TEXT Statement of the  Bishops of the Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa (C.E.R.N.A)

At the beginning of Advent, we think painfully of the land where Jesus was born, where he grew up, where he spoke words of justice and peace, where he gave his life for all humanity, where he was resurrected. This land has been torn apart for over a year by a conflict with its procession of victims, displaced people, and massive destruction. An entire population is taken hostage, deprived of care, deprived of food, and as the days go by this conflict becomes commonplace in indifference. Just as is the case in many other conflicts in Africa, in Europe, and in many places in the world.
War is never the means to peace. It is its failure. Violence is never the answer to suffering. It amplifies it. As Pope Francis said on October 7, 2024: “I never tire of repeating that war is a defeat, that weapons do not build the future, but destroy it, that violence never brings peace.”
We are for peace, deliberately for peace. We suffer with the victims, with all the victims. We are against war, against all wars, against all violence and all acts of terrorism. In no case can the Bible be used to legitimize the colonization and annexation of a territory that is that of a people who only ask to live in law and peace. We must distinguish peoples from their government. The government of Israel is not the entire Israeli people. Hamas is not the entire Palestinian people.
Let us pray to God that the leaders of the countries concerned may have the courage of humility by sincerely listening to the suffering of one another, with respect for each other and the rejection of all hatred; that they may have the courage of justice in the refusal of all provocation, of all desire for destruction, of all spirit of vengeance or domination; that they may have the courage of hope based on the capacity of humans to open paths of fraternity and peace. A thirst for peace that responds to God's desire for the world: "I know the thoughts that I form toward you - declares the Lord - thoughts of peace and not of misfortune, to give you a future and a hope" (Jer 29:11). How can we prepare for the coming of the Prince of Peace by keeping quiet about the scandal of this conflict, contrary to all the rules of international law?
Let us also pray to God that other nations commit to guaranteeing a peace agreement instead of providing weapons to the belligerents.
We call on each and every member of our Churches to devote this time of Advent to prayer for Peace and to concrete gestures of reconciliation around us and solidarity with the victims.
Done in Rome, this 23 November 2024,
The Conference of Bishops of the North Africa Region (CERNA)
Apostolic Vicariates of Benghazi and Tripoli
Dioceses of Tunis, Laghouat, Constantine and Hippone, Algiers, Oran, Tangier and Rabat
Apostolic Prefecture of Laayoune-Sahara

Source: https://eglise-catholique-algerie.org/message-aux-eglises-de-lafrique-du-nord-avent-2024/