In New Declaration, Over 200 Bishops, Leaders Warn of Christian Disappearance from Middle East

Led by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), the letter calls for action on the deteriorating situation for Christians across the Middle East, and was issued in Commemoration of the Global Day of Prayer for Peace  – October 29, 2026.

Over 200 prominent Christian bishops and executive leaders from a wide range of denominations, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, have signed on to a new declaration warning of the dangerously deteriorating situation for Christian communities in Palestine, Lebanon, and across the Middle East. 

Marking the 40th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s Global Day of Prayer for Peace at Assisi, the declaration, organized by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), warns of “the rapid decline of Christian communities throughout the region”:

“The birthplace of Christianity risks becoming a place where Christians remain only as visitors rather than living communities rooted in their historic homeland. We must act now, or Christians may all but disappear from the Middle East…The diminishing presence of Christians in the Middle East is not simply a Christian concern. It signals that justice, equality, security, and hope are failing for everyone…We urge leaders to end violence through proactive, sustained diplomacy; ensure unhindered humanitarian assistance and access to daily needs; protect places of worship and vulnerable communities; and uphold human rights and international humanitarian law without exception.”

“The global Christian community cannot remain silent as these ancient and vital Christian communities face the possibility of disappearing from the very lands where our faith was born, and the ministry of Jesus Christ began,” said  Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace. “I am deeply grateful to these bishops and Christian leaders from around the world for raising their voices, bearing witness to these realities, and standing in solidarity with the Christians of the Middle East. Our prayers for peace must be accompanied by a commitment to meaningful action – it is a responsibility shared by the global Church and the world.”

The full declaration and list of signers can be seen here.

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)’s cover letter to President Trump is available here.