CEC highlights work for a just peace in Ukraine at gathering of European ecumenical scholars

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…