NZ church leaders issue statement on Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Leaders of four major New Zealand Christian denominations have issued a statement on Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Their statement follows Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is causing widespread death and destruction.

Earlier, Pope Francis condemned the invasion and issued a prayer for peace and justice in Ukraine.
 
Statement on Ukraine by New Zealand Church leaders
 
Across the globe people are horrified by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.  
 
In a region that learnt the devastating lessons of war last century, the pattern has the tragic possibility of repeating. It flies in the face of much of the progress in peaceful coexistence that Europe has made in recent decades.  
 
Once again, on European soil, we see the rights and wellbeing of millions of ordinary people trampled on by an aggressive and entitled leader.
 
It also flies in the face of the Jesus-values of peace-making. In this instance, those values call us to stand against violence and stand with the oppressed.  
 
Those values call for de-escalation and peace talks.  
 
They call for humility and kindness.  
 
As Christians we stand in solidarity with the vast chorus of voices calling for the aggression to end and the peaceful solutions to begin.
 
Signed:

Right Rev Hamish Galloway, Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
Andrew Doubleday, President, Methodist Church of New Zealand
Cardinal John A Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, Catholic Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
Archbishop Don Tamihere & Archbishop Philip Richardson, Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia