U.S., Canadian, European, and Japanese Bishops Join in G7 Statement “Building Bridges for Peace, Justice and Human Dignity”

“Building Bridges for Peace, Justice and Human Dignity” – Statement of Presidents of Bishops’ Conferences on the Occasion of the G7 Summit

WASHINGTON – As the G7 summit approaches June 15-17 in France, the presidents of the episcopal conferences of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, issued a joint statement.  

Read the full statement (summary below) that includes Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, as a signatory.

 “Building Bridges for Peace, Justice and Human Dignity”
Appeal of the Presidents of the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the United States, with the support of the President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, on the Occasion of the G7 Summit On the occasion of the G7 Summit to be held in France in 2026, we, the Presidents of the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Great Britain and the United States, with the support of the President of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, wish to address a common appeal to Heads of State and Government. In the face of armed conflicts, geopolitical divisions, growing inequalities, climate challenges and technological change, we affirm that the dignity of every human person must remain the foundation of political and economic action.
We call upon G7 states to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, respect for international law and the pursuit of peaceful solutions to conflicts. In a world marked by war and instability, it is more necessary than ever to strengthen international institutions, protect civilian populations and uphold fundamental rights, particularly religious freedom and the dignity of the most vulnerable.
We also invite G7 countries to place the human person at the heart of development and international solidarity and call for greater mutual understanding between peoples. As humanitarian needs grow in many regions of the world, we encourage the maintenance of a strong commitment to fighting poverty, expanding access to education and health care, ensuring food security, and pursuing a development that respects both peoples and the environment. We further call for strengthened international cooperation against organised crime, human traffcking and illicit trade that fuel violence and undermine societies. In the face of the rapid rise of digital technologies and artifcial intelligence, we stress the urgency of an ethical, transparent and democratic governance that ensures these innovations remain at the service of the common good and the human person. We call for particular vigilance regarding their effects on children and young people, and on the respect of fundamental freedoms.
Finally, we urge G7 states to fully assume their responsibility in the fight against climate change, to promote a just ecological transition and to support the populations most exposed to its consequences. We also recall that migrants and refugees, forced to flee war, persecution or environmental disasters, must always be received with dignity and humanity, while recognising the legitimate responsibility of states to safeguard the common good.
Through this appeal, as pastors of our churches and disciples of Jesus Christ, we rearm the commitment of the Catholic Church to place its presence among peoples, its dedication to the most vulnerable and its capacity for dialogue at the service of peace, justice and the global common good.
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, President of the French Bishops’ Conference
Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Bishop Pierre Goudreault of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Bishop John Keenan of Paisley, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
Bishop Heiner Wilmer of Hildesheim, President of the German Bishops’ Conference
With the support of
Bishop Mariano Crociata of Latina (Italy), President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union C E I

Sources: https://www.usccb.org/resources/Church%207%20Synthe%CC%80se%20June%2012,%202026.pdf

https://www.usccb.org/news/2026/building-bridges-peace-justice-and-human-dignity-statement-presidents-bishops-conferences