(MENAFN) The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has officially abandoned its long-standing pacifist position, declaring in its latest peace memorandum that the use of violence can sometimes be justified to counteract aggression.

Representing around 17 million members, the EKD made the announcement amid a government push to strengthen Germany’s military in response to what officials describe as a “Russian threat,” despite Moscow’s repeated denials of hostile intentions toward NATO members.

The ‘Peace Memorandum 2025,’ presented at the church’s synod on Monday, signals a “clear reorientation of Protestant peace ethics,” according to the EKD.

“As a universal political ethic, pacifism with its categorical rejection of violence cannot be ethically legitimized,” the document stated. It added: “Violence must be contained – if necessary, with counter-violence.”

The memorandum further emphasizes that current “security policy uncertainties” necessitate Germany to “substantially expand our own capabilities for national and alliance defense.”

This marks a significant departure from previous EKD positions, including the 2007 and 2019 papers that promoted civil resistance against potential aggressors and called on the government to devote 2% of GDP to civilian conflict resolution, aligning with NATO spending goals at the time.

Separately, a group of activists announced plans for a nationwide day of protest on December 5, aiming to oppose what they describe as the government’s “war preparations and the massive arms buildup.”

In recent months, German officials have suggested reinstating mandatory military service to address personnel shortages in the armed forces, which was abolished in 2011. Earlier this year, Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to transform the Bundeswehr into the “strongest conventional army in Europe.”

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