(The following statement was issued by Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, on April 7, 2026.)
“I join my voice in support of the statement of Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and all the bishops of the United States calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities. Any nation which undertakes war with the intention of ending an entire civilization has lost its moral compass, and I call upon all of my fellow citizens to join together in bringing us home to the principles upon which our nation was founded.”
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is home to more than 655,000 Catholics, 140 parishes and 90 Catholic schools, located in Washington, D.C., and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.
Links to related articles:
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In interview, Cardinal McElroy says U.S. entry into war with Iran ‘not morally legitimate,’ citing Catholic just war teaching

