EU Catholic bishops outline what peace in Ukraine should look like
The Presidency of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union. Photo: Vatican News
On 4 March 2025, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) issued a statement expressing strong support for Ukraine and efforts to achieve a "a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace", reports the Vatican News.
Amid deepening geopolitical complexities and the unpredictability of actions taken by some members of the international community, the Presidency of COMECE calls on the European Union and its Member States to remain united in their commitment to supporting Ukraine and its people.
The Catholic hierarchs state that peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through negotiations, and “credible and sincere dialogue effort should be supported by continued strong transatlantic and global solidarity and it must involve the victim of the aggression: Ukraine".
COMECE firmly reject any attempts to distort the reality of this aggression and stresses that any peace agreement must be underpinned by effective security guarantees to prevent the conflict from re-erupting, reports the Vatican News.
They also highlight the importance of ensuring that "the rights of all communities, including the Russian-speaking minority, are upheld and protected."
In their view, the international community must continue to assist Ukraine in the reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure, while Russia, as the aggressor, must adequately participate in this effort. They also call on the EU “to advance with the enlargement process in a timely and fair manner alongside other candidate countries”.
"As the contours of a new global security architecture are currently being redrawn," COMECE states, “it is our profound hope that the European Union will remain faithful to its vocation to be a promise of peace and an anchor of stability to its neighborhood and to the world."
As previously reported by the UOJ, the head of the SBU claimed that the European Union had imposed sanctions against the UOC.
Read also
Italian Ambassador to Ukraine thanks UOC for Odesa cathedral restoration
At the reception for Republic Day in Kyiv, diplomat Carlo Formosa noted the Church's contribution to the restoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) assigned to serve in Brazil
After the incident in Czechia, Metropolitan Hilarion will continue his ministry in the Argentine and South American Eparchy.
Israel introduces fines for use of loudspeakers in mosques
Law enforcement officers have received permission to confiscate sound equipment in case of violations.
Catholicos of All Armenians bans government interference in Church affairs
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II reported the initiation of more than a dozen criminal cases against clergy.
Synod of Romanian Church accepts resignation of Met. Petru of Bessarabia
The Synod Chancellery announced preparations for the election of a new head of the metropolis and the formation of a list of candidates.
Metropolitan Onuphry chairs final meeting of KDAiS Academic Council
The Primate of the UOC awarded orders to distinguished employees of the KDAiS and wished the teaching staff God's help in their continued service to the Church.