Photo: Church and Peace
The Conference of European Churches (CEC) reaffirmed its commitment to peacebuilding at the annual European Conference and General Meeting of the Church and Peace, held from 24-27 October in Brussels. The gathering brought together key voices to address the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine and explore peaceful alternatives to militarised security.
Ms Katerina Pekridou, CEC Programme Officer for Theology and Studies, participated in a panel discussion highlighting the role of Christian organisations in Brussels in responding to the war in Ukraine. She expressed gratitude to the Church and Peace, a longstanding partner of CEC, for its vital contributions to peacebuilding, particularly through the development of the Pathways to Peace initiative.
“Church and Peace’s collaboration has been instrumental in shaping our efforts to elevate the voices of Ukrainian churches within ecumenical and political debates,” said Pekridou. “Their dedication reflects conference's biblical call to seek nonviolent alternatives to conflict, resonating with the words of 2 Samuel 2:26: ‘Is the sword to keep devouring forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitter?’”
During a dedicated workshop, Pekridou presented the Pathways to Peace initiative, which promotes the voice of Ukrainian churches within the ecumenical debate, as well as the political EU debate. Discussions underscored the need for a civil understanding of security, contrasting it with the increasing militarisation of global conflicts. The workshop critiqued military interventions, weapons of mass destruction, and policies that marginalise vulnerable communities, advocating instead for life-affirming economies and democratic governance.