Maryknoll and its international affiliates have been engaged in the struggle for peace and justice in the Middle East for many years. We support the work of Muslims, Christians, and Jews around the region who challenge of racism, political and economic inequality, military occupation, and who promote inter-religious dialogue. In Washington D.C., the Office for Global Concerns analyzes issues affecting the Middle East in its cultural and historical contexts so that U.S. citizens and law makers can make informed decisions about foreign policy and better understand this important and diverse region of the world.
In a unified voice of sorrow and hope, the Maryknoll family calls on the leaders of the United States, Israel, and Iran to move beyond the cycle of violence and commit to the urgent task of diplomacy and peace.
The following is a running list of quotes from statements by Catholic leaders about the Iran War which began on February 28, 2026. We will update this list regularly as new statements emerge. February 28, 2026 – Pax Christi International “Peace cannot be imposed through violence and foreign military intervention only deepens human suffering. Today,…
Join us in prayer for peace and protection for the people of Iran. This prayer was written on February 28, 2026, in the hours after the U.S. and Israeli military attack on Iran. For families in Iran living in fear, and for all who live under the evil rain of bombardment, may they find safe…
December 1 is Worlds Aid Day. It is an opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have died, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention service….
Join a prayer vigil for the children of Palestine. Tomorrow/Thursday, November 20th, at 11:30 am Eastern (8:30 am Pacific): Register to receive the link. November 20 is World Children’s Day….
Take action for Palestinian Children. Join the Let Children Live campaign. Today, children in Gaza are enduring unimaginable devastation: Hunger is widespread and worsening. Bombs are falling without warning. Even…
Eighty Orthodox rabbis signed the following open letter on August 20, 2025, demanding “moral clarity, responsibility, and a Jewish Orthodox response” to what they called a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In reaction to the Israeli government’s announcement of a plan to take control of Gaza, the Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchs of Jerusalem issued the following joint statement on Aug. 26 calling for an end to the war.
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined over a hundred other organizations in a letter to leaders and delegates to the high-level UN Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine in support of a viable Palestinian state.
On July 30, Senator Sanders plans to introduce legislation (called a Joint Resolutions of Disapproval) to block the Trump administration’s attempt to send $675 million in offensive weapons shipments to Israel….
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns was among 200+ NGOs calling for an immediate end the deadly Israeli distribution scheme in Gaza and revert to the existing UN-led coordination mechanisms, and lift the Israeli government’s blockade on aid and commercial supplies.
Peace and international affairs experts criticized President Trump’s decision to bomb Iran in support of Israel’s war.
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns was among the eighteen signatories of an ecumenical letter organized by Churches for Middle East Peace sent to House and Senate offices in support of War Powers Resolutions and in opposition to U.S. war with Iran.
This weekend, on June 21, President Trump announced that the U.S. had bombed three separate nuclear facilities in Iran using bombs that have never been deployed before. The bombing is…
Like Jesus, we are weeping … in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, in Sudan, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Myanmar, in the United States, in schools, homes and public spaces around the world. But this week, even as we prepare to retell the story of his Passion and Death, we hear Jesus say:…
Two State Department programs that helped Afghans refugees were halted when the new administration froze foreign aid. Now they are terminated.
The people praised David for his bravery in defeating and slaying Goliath. We know through scripture that King Saul was very jealous of David’s success and eventually sought to kill him. David had to run. But, in today’s reading, David is given the chance to turn the tide and slay King Saul. He refuses to…
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 75 human rights organizations, faith-based groups, legal associations, and academic institutions in an open letter to Congress and the incoming US Presidential administration decrying sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). As the House of Representatives is scheduled to review this legislation among its first orders of business, we…
