As part of its mission of dialogue with the European institutions, COMECE convened Military Bishops and experts from the Military Ordinariates across EU countries for a two-day meeting on 29-30 October 2024. The gathering provided a platform to discuss current and emerging challenges to peace in Europe and worldwide. Photo Gallery
Group of the 2024 COMECE meeting of EU Military Bishops and experts from the Military Ordinariates. (Photo: COMECE)
Amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, escalating violence in the Middle East and rising global tensions, the gathering aimed to foster dialogue with EU and NATO officials, as well as national representatives to the EU Military Committee.
In his greeting, H.E. Mgr. Franz-Josef Overbeck, German Military Bishop and Bishop-Delegate to the COMECE Assembly, called for sustained solidarity with Ukraine and its defenders, stating that “they are not only defending their homeland, but also the European values of democracy and just peace”.
Building on its previous editions in 2019 and 2022, the October 2024 meeting enabled in-depth discussions on 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”.
2024 COMECE meeting of EU Military Bishops and experts from the Military Ordinariates. (Photo: COMECE)
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, COMECE emphasises that these efforts should be part of an integral approach. “Since peace goes beyond security – continued the General Secretary of COMECE – 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. 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 8-9 February 2025, the Jubilee of the armed forces, the police, and the security forces, 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”.