The Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI) has called on the Government to use "all means at its disposal" to stop the "headlong rush" to war in Iraq.
"There is a whole series of problems with Iraq," said Fr Sean Healy of CORI. "The Iraqi regime is an oppressive regime. The Kurds and other peoples are denied their human rights."
"There is the possibility to do all sorts of things," he added.
"Ireland, as a small country, should play its role and a far bigger role.
"War can always be averted. Where there is a will there is a way. The question is, is there a will?"
Earlier, at a conference in Buswells Hotel in Dublin, representatives of the main religions called for peace and supported the International Day Of Action Against War On Iraq to be held on February 15th.
At the conference were Mr Duibi of the Muslim Association of Ireland; Prof Pat Hannon, professor of Theology at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth; Ms Catherine Myer, Presbyterian chaplain of Trinity College, Dublin; Mr Gordon Pearson of the Religious Society of Friends; Sr Maureen O'Connell of CORI, and Rev Terence McCaughey, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.