Prof. Petr Kratochvíl, Governing Board Member of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) from the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, reflected on CEC’s Pathways to Peace initiative and current geopolitical challenges at the 2025 Virtual General Assembly, held online on 13 June 2025.
A video recording of his presentation is now available on the CEC YouTube channel.
In his address, Kratochvíl underlined the steep decline of the global political order and its implications for European churches and societies, linking these developments directly to the prospects of CEC’s Pathways to Peace initiative. He noted that “the transformation of global politics has accelerated dramatically and not always for the better,” urging churches to reassess how they respond to conflicts and justice in a complex and shifting environment.
Reflecting on Europe’s role and the need for public Christian witness, Kratochvíl said, “We cannot stay out of politics entirely. Our faith calls us to public engagement carried by God’s love, not only to act privately but to shape societies towards justice and peace.”
Speaking on the interplay between peace, justice and the mission of churches, he added, “We are called to be peacemakers and defenders of the oppressed. Yet these calls often clash in real conflicts. Our role is to hold space for hope, justice and reconciliation even when it is politically and existentially risky.”
Kratochvíl highlighted that the resurgence of religion in public life presents both opportunities and challenges for churches. He cautioned against the misuse of Christian symbols for exclusionary politics and urged churches to remain rooted in the core values of dignity, justice, care for the vulnerable, and peace.
CEC, as a fellowship of European churches, continues to highlight the voices of its member churches in responding to Europe’s challenges while advocating for just peace and dialogue with European institutions through initiatives such as Pathways to Peace.
