Die Kirche und der Krieg in der Ukraine

Eine Fundamentaltheologische Untersuchung

Abstract

The war in Ukraine has been a challenge to the Church from the start. The complex reality of the consequences of war for the civilian population is, in a sense, a “sign of the times” that needs to be recognized and evaluated and that forces one to act. From debates on Ukraine’s right to self-defense to prayers for peace to concrete material aid, the Church has been involved on various levels since the beginning of the war. What does such commitment mean for the Church? How can it be theologically justified? How much can it contribute to building up the credibility of the Church, which is ailing today? Can it also serve as a sign of ecumenical cooperation?

The article answers these questions from the perspective of the credibility of the Church. First, the theological foundations of the Church’s charitable work are introduced (1). Then. concrete forms of support and aid from the Catholic Church of the Diocese of Opole to victims of the war in Ukraine are presented (2). Finally, the commitment of the Church is analyzed as a sign of her credibility (3).