The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) brought together Military Bishops and representatives of Military Ordinariates from across Europe in Brussels on 27–28 October 2026. The gathering provided an opportunity to discuss the role of the European Union in the regional and global peace architecture amid an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. COMECE Contribution | Photo Gallery
General Seán Clancy, Chairman of the EU Military Committee, at the Secretariat of COMECE on 28 October 2026. (Photo: COMECE)
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mgr Kieran O’Reilly, President of the COMECE Commission on EU External Relations. Recalling the opening words of the Schuman Declaration, he called on the European Union to pursue “creative efforts [for peace], proportionate to the dangers which threaten it”.
Amid Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and ongoing violence in the Middle East and rising global tensions, participants exchanged views with General Seán Clancy, Chairman of the EU Military Committee, on the European Union’s role in the global security architecture and its efforts to strengthen Europe’s strategic readiness, preparedness and resilience.
Fr Thierry Vander Poelen (left) and Fr Johan Van Den Eeckhout (right) representing the Belgian Catholic Military Ordinariate. (Photo: COMECE)
The programme also included a visit to NATO Headquarters, where participants exchanged views with Ms Charlotte Hallengren, Director for Operations, on NATO’s current agenda and priorities and the evolving EU-NATO relationship.
In an exchange with Prof. Klaus Welle, Chair of the Martens Centre’s Academic Council and Special Adviser to the EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, Military Bishops and representatives of Military Ordinariates from across Europe explored what “creative efforts for peace” could mean for the European Union and its citizens in today’s international context.
The human dimension of military service was also addressed during the meeting. Mr Emmanuel Jacob, President of the European Organisation of Military Associations and Trade Unions (EUROMIL), highlighted the practical challenges faced by military personnel and their families, an aspect that is often less visible in strategic discussions.
Participants also received a first-hand briefing on the situation on the battlefield from H.E. Mgr Bohdan Manyshyn, Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Military Bishop, who called for continued support for his war-torn country.
Military Bishops and representatives of Military Ordinariates, Brussels, 27–28 October 2026. (Photo: COMECE)
The meeting also provided an opportunity for COMECE to reiterate key policy recommendations set out in its recently published contribution to the development of the new European Security Strategy, currently being prepared by the European institutions.
This is the fourth time COMECE has brought together representatives of the EU Military Ordinariates. Launched in 2019, this biennial initiative provides a platform for exchanging perspectives on European security and defence and for developing a concrete, policy-oriented Catholic contribution to the European Union’s efforts to strengthen its role as a peace actor, both within and beyond its borders.