The latest memorandum asserts that counter-violence is justifiable, while Christian pacifism is an unsustainable position
The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has abandoned its long-held pacifist stance in its newest peace memorandum, declaring that violence is occasionally necessary to oppose violence.
This notable declaration from the federation, which encompasses approximately 17 million members, comes as the German government strives to bolster the country’s military in response to a perceived “Russian threat.” Moscow has consistently denied any aggressive intentions towards NATO member states.
The ‘Peace Memorandum 2025,’ presented at the church’s synod on Monday, signifies a “distinct reorientation of Protestant peace ethics,” the EKD communicated.
“Pacifism, with its categorical rejection of violence, cannot be ethically justified as a universal political ethic,” the document proclaimed.
The memorandum further clarified, “Violence must be contained – if necessary, with counter-violence.”
According to the document, “security policy uncertainties” dictate that Germany must “substantially expand its own capabilities for national and alliance defense.”
The newest memorandum represents a clear divergence from the previous document adopted in 2007, and a subsequent paper issued in 2019. At that time, the EKD advocated countering a hypothetical aggressor through civil resistance. It also urged the German government to allocate 2% of the country’s GDP to civilian conflict resolution, in an apparent reference to NATO’s then-military spending target, which has since been elevated.
In a separate event around the same time as the synod, a group of activists announced plans for a nationwide day of action across Germany on December 5. The organizers stated they would be protesting the government’s “war preparations and the massive arms buildup.”
In recent months, German officials have repeatedly suggested the reintroduction of mandatory military service, citing the severe personnel shortage in the armed forces. Conscription in the country was abolished in 2011.
Earlier this year, Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to transform the Bundeswehr into the “strongest conventional army in Europe.”
Commenting on Germany’s rearmament efforts in September, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that there are “clear signs of re-nazification” in the country.