Of all the predicaments that are causing so much pain and suffering to people of the world, our hearts are deeply moved and concerned with the plight of the people of Iraq during this time of imminent threat of war.
We, the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia, are writing this letter to convey to you and the Iraqi people our deepest concerns of your pain and suffering and our sincere prayers of hope for a new dawn of peace to reign in your country.
We are firmed on our judgment and position that, as a principle, war is never a solution. War only aggravates suffering and perpetuates hatred. War costs human lives. It is contrary to our belief on the sacredness of human life which God bestows upon us.
In various occasions when our opinion has been solicited by the people and the press about our position regarding the US threat of war, we have always expressed consistently our objection to war solution. That is also the same position we have vis à vis the Iraqi government. We implore the Iraqi government to protect and guarantee the life and security of Iraqi people.
We pray that world and country leaders be given the wisdom and the compassion not to recourse to war as a solution, but instead let the prolonged suffering of the people be an impetus for searching a peaceful means to solve conflicts.
To express our unity and sympathy with you during this crucial time, we would like to inform you hereby that on Sunday, 9 February 2003 the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia will ask Indonesian Catholics in all thirty-five dioceses that make up the Conference to hold a National Day or Prayer for the People of Iraq with the intention that the people of Iraq be granted peace they deserve.
Finally, please accept our cordial greeting in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Jakarta, January 31, 2003
Julius Cardinal Darmaatmadja, S.J., President
Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo, General Secretary