Focus on peace: EKD synod discusses war and responsibility in Dresden

Focus on peace: EKD synod discusses war and responsibility in Dresden

The 6th meeting of the 13th Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) started in Dresden on November 9, 2025. The opening took place with a ZDF television service in the Epiphany Church, which dealt with the topic of war and peace. Tobias Bilz, deputy council chairman of the EKD and Saxon regional bishop, gave the sermon to around 400 visitors who showed great interest in the different perspectives of Christian peace ethics. Among others, a soldier and a conscientious objector reported on their views on the challenges of war and peace. This illustrates how diverse the discourse is in this sensitive topic area.

The President of the Synod, Anna-Nicole Heinrich, underlined the church's responsibility to promote peace in her speeches. What is remarkable is the fact that over 80% of those under 25 consider war to be their greatest concern. In order to make the voices of young people heard, Heinrich held discussions with young people from Germany, Armenia and Georgia and addressed central questions about war, peace and responsibility.

Main focus of the synod

In a review of the past results, the Presidium outlined an exciting topic for the upcoming synod: democracy. In view of five state elections in 2026, people are already thinking about the relevance of democratic structures. The already approved action plan against sexual violence was also brought into the discussion. A central focus of the current conference is the relationship between the church and power, which is of particular concern to the members of the synod.

The synod, consisting of 128 members, is one of the three governing bodies of the EKD, which is responsible for the development of rallies, resolutions, budgets and church laws. Led by Anna-Nicole Heinrich, who is herself a member of the EKD's 15-member council, the discussion will certainly be characterized by varied perspectives and constructive approaches.

Peace ethics in focus

A particularly central point at the synod meeting is the discussion about a new peace memorandum that will be published during the autumn synod. This memorandum addresses the questions of war and peace, particularly in the context of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the escalation in the Middle East after Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023. Friederike Krippner, Academy Director and co-chair of the EKD Peace Workshop, emphasizes in her co-authorship that the concept of a just peace is the focus.

But what does that actually mean? Peace is thought of in multiple dimensions; it is not just about the mere absence of violence, but also about protection against violence, the promotion of freedom and the reduction of inequalities. This memorandum should not be understood as a dogmatic text, but rather as a call to educate one's conscience. The questions of the extent to which just peace can also be achieved through counter-violence are also discussed—of course only on the condition that all other options have been exhausted.

The cornerstones of the Protestant peace ethic, which are anchored in documents such as “Living from God's Peace - Ensuring Just Peace” from 2007 or the *Church on the Path of Justice and Peace*, provide a valuable background for these debates about ethically responsible action in and after conflicts.

The synod will meet until November 12, 2025 and the high-profile discussion about peace, justice and the responsibility of the church will be followed with excitement. The energies are high and the commitment of the members is palpable, as shown by the different voices and perspectives that come together here.