An Appeal by the Lutheran Bishops of Poland and Ukraine
We all know the Gospel account of Jesus calming the stormy waters (Matthew 8:23–27). For centuries, the image of a boat rocking and shuddering on the waves has helped express difficult periods in the Church’s history. It can also reflect our spiritual condition and the mood of society amid internal and external tensions. In this context, the words of a hymn come to mind: “Grant us peace, O Lord, for the world follows an evil path!” (Evangelical Hymnal, 842, verse 1).
Ukraine, which is fighting courageously, is enduring unimaginable suffering. This suffering is exploited for political ends not only by the Russian aggressor but also by all those who, knowingly or unknowingly, inflame national and religious antagonisms, and not only in Europe. Religious elements are all too present in this: the Christian message is insidiously used to strip people of their human dignity and spread xenophobia. The Gospel of love and human solidarity is reduced to an instrument of verbal violence, while Christianity is turned into a nationalist system of aggression concealed beneath a religious exterior. Sadly, we are witnessing an epidemic of violence, a cult of power and hatred.
In the Polish-Ukrainian context, these are not theoretical reflections but the daily reality of many Ukrainian women and men, including children and young people. In Poland, they face various forms of aggression from radical groups seeking to appropriate the complex history of Polish-Ukrainian relations and use it to further their own aims. Yes, our shared history is difficult, but it should be the subject of measured historical research, free from political pressure. Otherwise, the history of Volhynia and many other chapters of our shared past become fuel for hostility, making genuine dialogue, reconciliation and dignified remembrance—and therefore mutual understanding—impossible.
As bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Poland and Ukraine, we firmly oppose every expression of aggression and contempt in relations between people. Although our Churches are small, they have participated in extensive humanitarian relief since the first days of the war. Our relationship has grown closer. This is reflected not only in the partnership agreement between our Churches signed at last year’s Synod, but above all in our unity in Christ around the Word of God and the Sacraments, our shared faith and our evangelical calling to serve peace, especially when hearts have grown hard.
It is appalling that the barbaric attack on a monastery in Jarosław, Poland, and the tragic death of a Roman Catholic priest became, for many, an occasion not for Christian compassion and forgiveness but for intensifying negative emotions. We are therefore all the more grateful for the clear witness to the Gospel expressed in the sermon at St Nicholas’ Church in Jarosław. We are equally grateful for the simple kindness people show one another every day—at work, in schools and universities, and on the streets. We give thanks for every expression of spiritual and material support that bears witness to the fact that hatred does not have the last word. Jesus is present in His Word not so that we may hide away and nurture a spirit of fear, but so that we may show power, love and sound judgement (2 Timothy 1:7).
We call for prudence and Gospel-informed discernment in the face of false information circulating in the media. We ask you to remain vigilant and resist every attempt, however subtle, to sow discord among us, whether through history, religion or any other means. Let us treat one another with respect and stand up for those who suffer or face danger because of their origin, language, skin colour or religion.
As the church year draws to a close, let us pray in our worship services that the Lord will bring us spiritual renewal and kindle our faith, for His mercy is boundless (Evangelical Hymnal, 716, verses 1–2).
Bishop of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine Pavlo Shvarts;
Bishop of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland Jerzy Samiec.
Warsaw–Kyiv, 9 October 2026