LWF laments escalating violence during Holy Week

States must “do more to resolve conflicts” in different parts of the globe

16 April 2025
GENEVA, Switzerland

During Holy Week, Christians around the world reflect on the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This year’s Holy Week is particularly special because Western and Eastern Church traditions are celebrating Easter on the same date, and the time of Holy Week overlaps with the Jewish Passover.

The LWF laments the escalating violence and humanitarian crises across various regions of the world and particularly condemns the intensified attacks during this time which should be a time of reflection and compassion.

In Ukraine, Russia’s war has intensified. An attack on Palm Sunday on the city of Sumy killed 35 people and injured 117.

In the Middle East, the war in Gaza continues to cause immense suffering. On Palm Sunday, which coincided with the Jewish Passover, an Israeli air strike devastated al Ahli Arab Hospital, the last fully functional hospital in Gaza City. More than 50,000 people are reported to have been killed since October 2023, over 1.9 million have been displaced and there has been widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, including homes and hospitals. Despite calls for their release, Israeli hostages that were taken more than a year and a half ago are still held by Hamas.

In Sudan, over two years of armed conflict, have created one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world. More than 20,000 people have been killed, over 13 million displaced, famine has been declared in several areas and half of the population faces acute hunger.

Conflicts are also escalating in many other countries where the LWF is present though its member churches and World Service country programs, including Myanmar, Haiti, South Sudan, Somalia, Colombia, Venezuela, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This cannot continue. The LWF stands in solidarity with all who suffer from conflict, irrespective of the cause.  The LWF continues to condemn the violence and laments the failure to protect civilians, especially the most vulnerable. The LWF is appalled by the atrocities committed, including targeted killings, sexual violence, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war. These are all violations of international humanitarian law. They also contradict the very essence of our Christian faith, which calls us to love and protect the neighbor, seek and work for peace.

The LWF regrets the continued erosion and undermining of International Humanitarian Law and principles, including the blocking of life-saving humanitarian aid, the lack of resources to adequately protect and serve people in need. All states must do more to resolve conflicts and work towards transformative peace which is based on justice, rather than invest in armed conflict and militarization of society.

During this Holy Week, we pray for all who mourn and suffer, for the cessation of violence, for the restoration of peace and justice, and for the international community to act with the necessary urgency, solidarity, and compassion.

Inspired by the hope of the resurrection and the promise that love is stronger than death, we call for an end to violence during this Holy Week and reaffirm our commitment to be instruments of peace in a world torn by conflicts.