ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the factors that help to explain the ambivalence of religious leadership in times of conflict. Wise, responsive, and committed leadership is pivotal when it comes to the tricky business of governance, and in times of crisis this is thrown into particularly sharp relief. The shortcomings of those in positions of power and authority become more pronounced; misjudgements and missteps carry even graver consequences. Faith leadership is often characterized as meso-, or mid-, level leadership, and indeed religious leaders can be effective in this space. The focus on mid-level leadership should not eclipse the work religious leaders do in other areas. The peacebuilding expectations of religious leaders vary according to faith tradition and are based on the principles of the faith. Faith leaders have significant agency to provide peacebuilding leadership, but they still exist within structures – sometimes tightly bound, sometimes loosely formed.
