Bishop of Tagbilaran calls on believers to pray for peace in the Middle East.
MANILA – A Catholic bishop on Wednesday asked the faithful to pray for peace in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
In a message, a bishop said unity in prayer is needed as war causes destruction and suffering, especially among innocent civilians and children.
“With a heavy heart, I appeal to all the faithful to offer daily prayers and personal sacrifices for peace in the Middle East, especially for the cessation of the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran,” the bishop said.
He said war destroys families, schools, and places of worship where people gather to praise God.
He said the effects of war are not only felt in the Middle East but throughout the world.
“The violence is breeding deeper hatred and division, and its effects are being felt not just in the region, but across the world, threatening the stability of many nations and the lives of countless peoples,” he added.
Amid the violence, prayers
About: Middle East
The Middle East is a region that spans parts of Western Asia and North Africa, known for its vital historical, cultural, and geopolitical significance. It is often considered the birthplace of the world’s three major monotheistic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—and has a history that dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians, Egyptians, and Persians. In modern times, the Middle East has been a focal point for global politics, particularly due to its strategic location and vast reserves of petroleum.
About: Israel
Israel, located in the Middle East along the eastern Mediterranean Sea, is a country rich in history and cultural diversity. Established as a modern state in 1948, it is the homeland for the Jewish people, fulfilling the Zionist dream following millennia of Jewish diaspora. The region, known historically as Palestine, has been a focal point of religious and cultural significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, featuring sacred sites such as Jerusalem’s Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
About: Iran
Iran, located in Western Asia, is a country rich in history and culture, tracing its roots back to ancient Persia, one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Established as an empire around 550 BC by Cyrus the Great, Iran has been a significant center of science, art, and literature over millennia. Today, it combines its glorious past with modern influences, maintaining a distinct identity in both the Islamic world and globally through its profound cultural heritage and strategic geopolitical position.
