NEUWIED, 9 November 2018 – In view of the centenary of the end of World War I, the Board of the European peace church network Church and Peace points to the call of the Gospel for nonviolence.

We look back on the painful and violent history of Europe, from which we still have to learn. In these days when we remember the end of the First World War and the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, it is essential to make the Gospel call to nonviolence heard. We challenge Christians, congregations and churches to take resolute steps on the path towards a church of a just peace,” the international Board of Church and Peace said during its meeting on 7-9 November hosted by its member organisation EIRENE in Neuwied, Germany.

On this occasion the Board members from the Netherlands, Austria, France, Great Britain, Kosova, Switzerland and Germany commemorate the numerous peace initiatives and the commitment of the many people who stood and stand undaunted on the side of the victims of exclusion and violence, both then and now.

The Board is impressed by the commitment of peace initiatives, such as in the United Kingdom, which commemorate all victims of war and violence with the symbol of the white poppy and thus warn against a flaring-up of militarism.

As a European peace church network, we are working on the formation of a culture of hospitality, the consistent implementation of human rights, nonviolent conflict management and reconciliation through active remembrance and nonviolent commitment across national borders, and thus on Europe as peace project,” emphasizes Chair Antje Heider-Rottwilm. “It is the call of the Gospel that encourages us to follow this challenging path in everyday life and in our political advocacy work.”

Download the press  release “Church and Peace calls for active remembrance and resolute steps for nonviolence” (9 November 2018).

Contact: Rev. Antje Heider-Rottwilm, Chair of Church and Peace, 0049 172 5162 799