The message came as pro-democracy demonstrations led by Buddhist monks resulted in a violent government crackdown last week.
Independent sources are trying to tally the number of deaths and determine how many people, including possibly thousands of monks, are still being detained in unknown locations.
Archbishop Charles Bo of Yangon, secretary-general of the Myanmar bishops' conference, and Samuel Mahn San Si Htay, president of the Myanmar Council of Churches, sent the appeal Friday.
The Christian leaders said that their communities are united in a weeklong prayer service for peace and reconciliation in the country, "especially praying for the people and the leaders of the country."
"All the Christian churches […] greatly desire and are contributing all their best for unity, peace, justice, and the overall development of the country," the message said. "All the respective leaders of the Churches are also giving proper guidance to the faithful."
It continued: "Based on the teachings of the religions on love, truth, righteousness, forgiveness and reconciliation, and considering the current situation of the country, we would like to earnestly appeal to you [… so] that there will be stability, peace and non-violence, which are also the desire of the people."
ZE07100103 - 2007-10-01