The letter, dated May 17 but not released until May 22, said the Church leaders are "deeply concerned about the multiple crises in the Middle East," asking Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Canadian government "to respond robustly and generously" to the pressures of the region. These include the humanitarian crisis brought on by the Syrian civil war, efforts toward a democratic transition in Egypt, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and rising tensions in the region.

Signing the letter on behalf of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops was conference president Archbishop Richard Smith. Archbishop Lawrence Huculak, metropolitan of Canada's Ukrainian Catholics, is also a signatory.

The Canadian Council of Churches is made up of churches and ecclesial communities from Canada's major Christian communities, representing about 85 per cent of the Christian population. Each of the 24 churches has "members, counterparts and partners engaged in the Middle East," the letter says.

The CCC letter expresses gratitude to Harper for the government's contributions to alleviate the needs of people in the region, but requests that the government: lead in the protection of human rights in the region; "hold firm" to obligations of all state and non-state actors to respect international law; assist churches in working with local peacemakers and those providing humanitarian assistance; and respond to "pressures and tensions experienced by displaced peoples and by host countries in the region that provide refuge."

"We believe that with steadfast support for justice and peace, together with an even-handed approach from countries in the region, as well as from members of the international community, including Canada, the diverse peoples of the Middle East can achieve the full realization of the rights for which they are striving, but which ongoing crises threaten and jeopardize."