Dr Natallia Vasilevich, a member of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) Pathways to Peace Steering Group, has highlighted CEC’s work for a just peace in Ukraine at a gathering of European ecumenical scholars and researchers.
Vasilevich took part in the 23rd academic consultation of Societas Oecumenica, the European Society for Ecumenical Research, held in Utrecht, the Netherlands, from 21 to 25 August.
Under the theme “Churches in the Midst of Polarization”, the consultation explored the role of churches and ecumenical organisations in responding to polarization in church and society.
Vasilevich joined Dr Stephen Brown, former editor of the World Council of Churches (WCC) journal The Ecumenical Review, in a panel chaired by Dr Agnes Slunitschek. They reflected on the experiences of CEC and the WCC in responding to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war.
Ukraine at the heart of CEC’s peace work
Vasilevich recalled that on 25 February 2022, the day after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, CEC was holding a European pre-Assembly ahead of the WCC General Assembly. The programme was reshaped to address the invasion and its implications for churches in Europe.
Since then, solidarity with Ukraine has remained a central focus of CEC’s work, including through its Pathways to Peace initiative.
Vasilevich stressed the importance of bringing Ukrainian perspectives into the ecumenical movement, where Ukrainian churches and Christian voices had been underrepresented, while the Russian Orthodox Church maintained a strong international presence.
She also highlighted the role of Ms Katerina Pekridou, CEC Programme Officer for Theology and Studies, in shaping CEC’s approach, drawing on her personal engagement, expertise and networks in Ukraine.
Vasilevich noted a strong consensus among European churches in support of Ukraine, while acknowledging differences over how that support should be expressed.
Dialogue across divisions
Vasilevich also spoke about dialogue with anti-war Christians from Russia, including Russian Orthodox believers and clergy.
She also highlighted the importance of theological reflection in confronting pseudo-Christian narratives used to justify war and imperialism.
She referred to the European Consultation on Just Peace, held in Warsaw in December 2024, and the Resisting Empire, Promoting Peace conference, held in Helsinki in December 2025. The gatherings addressed the responsibility of churches in relation to war, peace and political power, drawing particularly on the experiences of Ukrainian Christians and churches.
CEC continues to work for dialogue and peacebuilding, with a particular focus on Ukraine through its Pathways to Peace initiative.
Source: ceceurope.org
