Ukraine – statement by CTE

Statement on the conflict in Ukraine 15 March 2022

CTE Forum is the broadest gathering of churches and Christian organisations in England, gathering 52 national member churches, Christian organisations and intermediate ecumenical bodies. Meeting at The Hayes, Swanwick on 14 – 16 March 2022, the Ukrainian crisis was an urgent priority alongside its planned programme considering 'Reconciling Hope -- A Broken Church for a Broken World'.
The Presidents of CTE and the Fourth Presidency Group made this statement on behalf of the whole of Forum.

The statement

As 300 delegates from 52 national Member Churches, numerous Christian organisations and ecumenical bodies from across England, we call for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of invading forces and the observance of the Geneva Conventions.

In this holy season of Lent, we call upon churches everywhere to campaign for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine, and to proclaim the dignity of every human life, whatever its nationality.

We welcome and commend the extraordinary efforts of countries neighbouring Ukraine in receiving refugees from the war and call on the UK and the whole of Europe to follow their example. We support every measure to protect the most vulnerable.

We commit ourselves to pray for the nations of Russia and Ukraine, our own Government and people, and for all who find themselves refugees, or bereaved, wounded or destitute.

May Christ have mercy upon our world.