Middle East conflict: UCA President urges Political Leaders to back peace and immediate ceasefire
March 11, 2026
President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Charissa Suli, has written to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Australian Greens and other Australian political party leaders, urging multi-partisan support for the Australian Government to call for peace and an immediate ceasefire across Iran and the wider Middle East.
The call follows escalating conflict that has spread across the region since the US–Israel strikes on 28 February 2026.
“The pursuit of security through escalating force risks drawing entire regions – and potentially the world – into deeper suffering,” Rev Suli said.
“Political leaders carry a profound moral responsibility to choose the hard work of restraint and peacebuilding over more killing and destruction.”
The Uniting Church’s call for bipartisan political support for a ceasefire echoes appeals from global Christian leaders and bodies, including Pope Leo XIV, the World Council of Churches and World Communion of Reformed Churches.
Earlier this week, the Uniting Church gathered people from across the country for a National Online Service of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East, led by Rev Suli.
More than 140 people joined the service, including members of the Uniting Church, ecumenical partners from Catholic and Anglican communities, and people of other faiths. Together they prayed for peace, compassion and wisdom in the face of escalating violence.
The service began with an Acknowledgement of Country and an opening prayer from Rev Ken Sumner of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. A reading from Psalm 46 reminded participants that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”.
Those online also heard from Pastor Jirair Ghazarian, a minister currently in Lebanon, who shared the reality facing communities in Beirut and across the Middle East, where many families have been displaced by violence.
Four Synod Moderators, along with Rev Dr Gaby Kobrossi, Rev Dr Krikor Youmshajekian and Australian Defence Force chaplains, helped lead prayers for civilians, displaced families, humanitarian workers and political leaders. Pastor Ghazarian, who will soon serve at the Armenian Uniting Church in Willoughby, also joined in the prayers.
As followers of Jesus Christ, the Uniting Church continues to pray for justice, reconciliation and lasting peace.
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