Photo: UCU

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) contributed to the symposium on “Security in Europe: Religious Dimensions of War and Moral Responsibility for Peace,” held from 12-13 February in Munich. The event was organised in the context of the Munich Security Conference, in cooperation with Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Ukrainian Catholic University Lviv, and the University of Notre Dame USA.

Ms Katerina Pekridou, CEC Programme Officer for Theology and Studies, shared insights on the theme “Peacemaking Potential of Religious Communities and Ecumenical Organisations.” She introduced CEC’s work in peacebuilding, particularly its flagship programme, Pathways to Peace.

“In an increasingly complex and violent world, churches and individual Christians, along with other communities of living faiths and people of no faith, have come to recognise that working for peace constitutes a primary expression of our common responsibility for life in the world. This responsibility is grounded on the essential goodness of all human beings and the whole of God’s creation,” she stated.

Pekridou highlighted the need for active engagement in peace efforts. She said, “Peace is inextricably related to the notion of justice and freedom that God has granted to all human beings through Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit as a gift and vocation. Peace and peace-making as a gift and calling connect faith with ethical witness and social transformation. The dynamic nature of peace does not allow for passivity and the acceptance of injustice.”

CEC’s contributions underscored the critical role religious communities play in fostering peace, justice, and reconciliation in Europe.

Through initiatives like Pathways to Peace, CEC remains dedicated to promoting peacebuilding efforts across the continent and beyond, working collaboratively with churches, ecumenical partners and European institutions.