WASHINGTON — “As an international community and people of faith who deeply care for all our brothers and sisters who live in the land of Christ’s life, death, and glorious resurrection, we cannot lose this opportunity for peace,” said Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.  

Bishop Zaidan’s statement follows: 

“As details emerge of a new, 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza—which includes provisions for the freeing of hostages, amnesty for those willing to accept peace, the ability for Gazans to remain on their land, and robust humanitarian and development assistance in the Strip—I call on Catholics and all men and women of good will to, once again, pray ardently for an end to this devastating war. 

“Crucially, this plan incorporates Israel’s and Palestine’s neighbors, including Jordan and Egypt, in a multilateral coordination for the plan’s implementation that recognizes the reality of the region’s interconnectedness. I am especially hopeful of the plan’s ‘interfaith dialogue process,’ which is intended to create a greater sense of community between Israelis and Palestinians ‘based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence.’ As Pope Leo XIV recently reminded us, the ‘deepest purpose of the Church’s social doctrine’ is a ‘contribution to peace and dialogue in the service of building bridges of universal fraternity.’ 

“Cautiously calling the peace plan a realistic proposal, Pope Leo XIV expressed hope that Hamas would accept the plan within the established time frame. In this difficult context, any peace plan will involve challenges that will require the utmost effort and cooperation from all sides. However, as an international community and people of faith who deeply care for all our brothers and sisters who live in the land of Christ’s life, death, and glorious resurrection, we cannot lose this opportunity for peace. May Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, instill on all sides a sincere willingness to attain peace.”