Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon says he is dismayed over the silence of religious leaders as civilians were killed and displaced as a result of ongoing fighting in conflicttorn Myanmar.

He said Oct. 1 that there were 500,000 Buddhist monks, 70,000 nuns, nearly 1,200 Christian pastors, more than 2,000 Catholic nuns and countless other religious leaders in the country.

“Some silence can be criminal. The war pursued is unjust and unholy,” Cardinal Bo said, adding that people’s prayers and rituals were being nullified by the blood and tears of innocent people. “Myanmar people are peace-loving and follow the guidelines of their religious leaders,” he said. “There is a huge potential for peace through religious leaders. Kindly raise your voice and speak out against this mutilating war. Innocent suffering will never go away. Their blood and tears will cry out from the grave.”