THE FAILURE OF ECUMENISM IN THE FACE OF THE WAR AGAINST UKRAINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24193/theol.cath.latina.2025.LXX.2.04Keywords:
Russian invasion of Ukraine, ecumenical relations, Russian Orthodox Church, Ukraine, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Catholic Church, World Council of Churches, Unitatis redintegratio, Charta Oecumenica, pacifism, just warAbstract
The churches and ecumenical organisations have largely failed in their response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While the Russian Orthodox Church [ROC] openly legitimised the aggression, most churches hesitated to condemn it or severe ties, prioritising ecumenical diplomacy. This reluctance stems from naïve assumptions about the ROC, overconfidence in dialogue, and the overlap of ecclesial and political interests. This study examines the support of the ROC for the war and its ecumenical consequences, the response of the Catholic Church, and of the major ecumenical bodies (notably the WCC), arguing that during a war of aggression, placing ecumenical relations above truth, justice, and solidarity with the victim falls under the notion of “false irenicism” (UR 11), benefits the aggressor, weakens the pursuit of peace, and damages the credibility of the Churches. The old paradigms of ecumenical relations and ecclesial diplomacy – the Ostpolitik, neutrality, the myth of dialogue –, as well as pacifism at all costs, need to be revised.
Article history: Received 25.11.2025; Revised 2.12.2025; Accepted 5.12.2025.
Available online: 22.12.2025; Available print: 30.01.2026.
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