Ljubljana - The Council of Christian Churches in Slovenia said it was concerned about the high increase in the number of people affected by Covid-19 in Slovenia and the rest of the world, urging all people of faith to follow the instructions of the medical profession, and to get vaccinated to help stop the spread of the virus.

The joint statement issued on Thursday was signed by Ljubljana Archbishop and Metropolitan Stanislav Zore, Bishop Leon Novak of the Evangelical Church, and Pastor Daniel Grabar of the Evangelical Pentecostal Church.

They wrote that the vulnerability of human life is felt in a particularly painful way these days, as awareness of mortality has become part of daily lives, hospitals operate beyond their capacity, and medical staff are overworked and burned out.

Together with the medical profession and hospital staff, they urged and encouraged all believers and non-believers to get vaccinated, to help stop the spread of the virus and restore normality in the health system and society.

"As Christians, we have a God-given responsibility and commandment to be in solidarity with one another and to love our neighbour," the statement said.

"While we respect the will of each individual and their freedoms, solidarity with society and the most vulnerable groups obliges us to do everything in our power to stop the pandemic," they urged.