Asian Catholic intellectuals on March 2 condemned recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, warning that escalating violence threatens global peace and will harm the most vulnerable communities first.
In a public statement, the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (ICMICA) Asia-Pacific said it strongly condemns “actions that escalate violence, inflame regional tensions, and endanger global peace.”
It warned that “the continued resort to armed force risks catastrophic escalation, widespread civilian suffering, and long-term instability—affecting the most vulnerable communities first.”
While recognizing “the complexity of security concerns faced by all parties,” the group said “durable security cannot be achieved through military escalation, but only through negotiated solutions consistent with international law and the United Nations Charter.”
It echoed the appeal of the UN Secretary-General for immediate de-escalation, maximum restraint, and a return to diplomacy.
Reaffirming the words of Pope Leo XIV, the statement quoted: “Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats nor with weapons that sow destruction, pain and death, but only through a dialogue that is reasonable, authentic and responsible.”
Drawing on the region’s experience, the group said many societies in Asia-Pacific “know the wounds of war, colonialism, sanctions, and geopolitical rivalry.”
Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, it declared that “war is a defeat for humanity and violence does not build peace. Lasting security rests upon justice, dialogue, and respect for human dignity.”
ICMICA Asia-Pacific expressed solidarity with all civilians affected in Iran and throughout the region, especially the poor, displaced persons, women, children, migrant workers, and religious minorities.
It also recognized “the legitimate aspirations of many Iranians for dignity, participation, accountability, and reform,” adding that these “must be respected and heard.”
“Authentic political transformation must arise from the agency and collective will of the people themselves—not from external military intervention,” the group said.
The group rejected the “normalization of preventive strikes, unilateral military actions, and geopolitical brinkmanship that bypass international consensus,” warning that such actions “erode trust between nations and weaken institutions designed to preserve peace.”
Despite rising tensions, it maintained that “diplomacy remains possible,” noting that “even deeply entrenched conflicts can be resolved through negotiation, leadership, and mediation.”
It urged political leaders and international bodies to pursue ceasefire, confidence-building measures, and renewed multilateral negotiations for a just and lasting peace.
“No nation’s security can be built upon the insecurity of others. Dialogue must prevail over destruction. Multilateral cooperation must prevail over unilateral force,” the group said.
ICMICA Asia-Pacific is composed of Catholic lay intellectual and professional organizations from South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka and Australia.
