Thai Catholic bishops condemned the devastation of war and warned of rising economic pressures as the Middle East conflict threatens global energy prices and supply chains.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT) said the escalating violence risks worsening economic hardship for ordinary people as disruptions in energy markets ripple across countries already facing inflation and rising living costs.
In a communiqué released Friday, March 13, the CBCT characterized the current state of international affairs not merely as a political failure but as a moral catastrophe.
Echoing the perennial teachings of the church, the bishops described war as a “whip that lashes humanity,” asserting that violence is fundamentally incapable of resolving the complexities of modern international disputes.
“War is a whip that lashes humanity and has never been, and will never be, a suitable method for resolving international conflicts,” the bishops said.
“War only creates new and more complex conflicts and poses a threat of violence that endangers both our present and our future,” the statement added.
The CBCT’s stance finds its theological footing in the “State of the World” message delivered by Pope Leo XIV on Jan. 9, 2026. The pope has consistently challenged the prevailing misconception that peace can be secured through the accumulation of weaponry or the projection of power.
“True peace is a gift from God and a rule of justice,” the pope said.
The pope urged people to begin building peace by rejecting violence not only in actions but also in attitudes and language.
“Unarmed peace must begin with laying down weapons in our words and in our hearts, in order to extinguish the flames of violence,” he said, reiterating his long-standing warning that “war is always the defeat of humanity.”
The Thai bishops said they are deeply aware of the impact that international conflicts can have on ordinary people, particularly as economic uncertainty grows.
Beyond the human tragedy of war, the bishops said rising tensions in the Middle East have already triggered anxiety among consumers in Thailand over the potential surge in the cost of fuel, transportation and basic goods as global energy markets and supply chains face renewed uncertainty.
In their statement, signed by CBCT president Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana, the conference outlined a threefold path for the faithful and the nation at large.
First, they called for a renewed campaign of prayers for peace.
“We invite all the faithful to unite in prayer with faith and hope,” the bishops said, encouraging prayer during the Eucharist, the Rosary, within families and in parish communities to implore God for peace.
Second, they stressed that peace must begin with forgiveness and reconciliation, following the example of Jesus Christ.
Echoing the teachings of Pope Leo XIV, the bishops said genuine peace requires laying down “weapons of words and hearts,” promoting harmony, love and compassion toward others, especially those experiencing hardship.
Third, the bishops urged people to live responsibly during a time of economic uncertainty by embracing a spirit of moderation and solidarity.
They encouraged the faithful to follow the principle of sufficiency, share resources with those most in need and take practical steps to reduce energy consumption.
Among the suggestions highlighted in the statement were holding meetings online when appropriate, reducing the use of air conditioning and minimizing unnecessary travel in order to lessen the impact of rising energy costs on communities and the nation.
The bishops emphasized that the path to peace requires both prayer and concrete action.
“At this difficult time,” they said, “we must strengthen solidarity with one another and work together to promote peace, justice and care for our common home.”
As the global community stands at a precarious crossroads, the Catholic Church in Thailand invites all people of goodwill to recognize that the pursuit of peace is an active, daily labor.
By blending spiritual discipline with practical stewardship of resources, the faithful are encouraged to become “beacons of harmony” in a world increasingly darkened by the specter of division.
