Vatican City, Jul 9, 2014 / 02:15 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In a declaration issued by the Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land, Church leaders decried ongoing violence in the region, criticizing leaders’ closed-mindedness, and calling for peaceful negotiations.

“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more,” the July 8 declaration opened, quoting the prophet Jeremiah.