As part of its mission of dialogue with the European institutions, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) convened Military Bishops and experts from the Military Ordinariates across EU countries for a two-day meeting (29-30 October 2024). According to a statement released by the Commission, the meeting was an opportunity to discuss “current and emerging challenges to peace in Europe and worldwide”. The debates addressed Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, escalating violence in the Middle East and rising global tensions. The aim of the meeting was also to “foster dialogue with EU and NATO officials, as well as national representatives to the EU Military Committee”.

In his greeting, Mgr. Franz-Josef Overbeck, German Military Bishop and Bishop-Delegate to the COMECE Assembly, called for support for Ukraine, stating that “they are not only defending their homeland, but also the European values of democracy and just peace”. The meeting underlined the “EU’s role in promoting human security and a just, lasting peace in its neighbourhood and in the world”. “As the political priorities of the new EU institutional cycle are marked by ambitions to reinforce European cooperation on security and defence – COMECE General Secretary Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto stated – the European Union is also called to offer to the continent and to the world a renewed vision for stability, justice and peace”. Alluding to the opening words of the Schuman Declaration, which emphasises the importance of “creative efforts for peace”, Fr. Barrios Prieto expressed his hope that “the European Union will continue to be a project of peace, a true bridge and peacemaker in its neighbourhood and in the world, by fully employing its potential to settle violent conflicts, acting as a united, trustful and integrating force in rebuilding a global architecture of peace”. “While the EU and its Member States may need to engage responsibly and collaboratively on security and defence in line with the principles of international law and ethical standards – the communiqué reads –, COMECE emphasises that these efforts should be part of an integral approach”. “Since peace goes beyond security”, the General Secretary of COMECE went on to say, “a comprehensive European peace strategy should equally promote integral human development, justice and care of Creation”. The meeting also explored how military Ordinariates can contribute to peacebuilding processes. Indeed, COMECE highlights that “with their unique mission, they stay in the field throughout all stages of a conflict, supporting members of the armed forces, while remaining sensitive to the needs of civilians, and fostering intercultural and interreligious connections”. On 8 and 9 February 2025, the Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel will be celebrated in Rome. Mgr. Overbeck encouraged European Military Ordinariates to accept this invitation and join the Pope in praying for world peace: “an appeal not to let up in the search for ways of ending violence, and to achieve reconciliation”.