On 14 November the NGO Dialogue in Action participated in the panel, which focused on the role of religious communities in societies ravaged by war and conflict. The discussion took place within the framework of the international ecumenical conference “Healing of Wounded Memories: The Responsibility of Churches to Heal”, hosted by PRO ORIENTE at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.
The panel explored ways in which religious communities can contribute to conflict transformation and reconciliation. Speakers emphasized the ambivalent potential of religion: it can both intensify tensions and support peacebuilding. For this reason an active engagement of believers and churches is especially important today – engagement aimed at fostering dialogue and rethinking religious actors’ roles during wartime and in post-war contexts.
Ukraine was represented by Tetiana Kalenychenko, co-founder of Dialogue in Action. She shared the organization’s experience in facilitating “equal-footing” encounters among representatives of different Christian traditions in Ukraine – within the Orthodox community as well as in wider ecumenical and interreligious formats. Tetiana underlined that dialogue between churches can become a driver of institutional transformation: “Conflicts are not only a test of the power of the churches' message, but also an opportunity for change within the churches and religions.”
Other experts highlighted the need for churches to move “from reaction to action” and to develop a coherent vision of what peace might look like after the war. The discussion also touched on examples from different countries, as well as challenges linked to structural violence, the responsibility of religious leaders, and the need for courageous steps toward reconciliation.
We sincerely thank PRO ORIENTE and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna for their invitation and for creating a meaningful space for international dialogue — and for giving us the opportunity to contribute the Ukrainian perspective.
Photo: Pro Oriente
