Forty delegates of Justice & Peace Europe gathered in Glasgow to reflect on pathways to nuclear disarmament and a just peace

Forty delegates of Justice & Peace Europe gathered in Glasgow to reflect on pathways to nuclear disarmament and a just peace 

The Conference of European Justice and Peace Commissions (Justice & Peace Europe) concluded its International Workshop and General Assembly, which took place from 18 to 21 September 2026 in Glasgow. Hosted by Justice & Peace Scotland, the gathering centred on the theme “Nuclear disarmament and pathways towards an unarmed and disarming peace.” 

The International Workshop brought together forty delegates from national Justice and Peace Commissions across Europe. The programme included exchanges with experts on nuclear weapons and disarmament and offered pertinent analysis from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching. In five workshops, the participants studied questions of human security and alternatives to nuclear deterrence, the human and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons, the economic dimensions of disarmament, the history of political action for nuclear disarmament and dialogue skills for peace. At the Clyde naval base (Faslane), the delegates took part in a peace witness and engaged in a symbolic action that had been prepared in collaboration with the Laudato Si’ Movement in the context of the ongoing Season of Creation. 

The reflections of the International Workshop were inspired in particular by the call of Pope Leo XIV for ‘an unarmed and disarming peace’, as expressed in his recent Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. The delegates adopted a Final Declaration calling for renewed attention to the need to look for pathways towards multilateral nuclear disarmament and a just peace, especially in the current geopolitical context. 

The General Assembly offered the opportunity for national Justice & Peace Commissions to share experiences and insights from their work for justice, peace, human rights and the care of Creation. The Ukrainian delegate briefed the participants about the latest developments in his war-torn country. The Assembly also welcomed invited guests, including from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE), Caritas Europa, the Jesuit European Social Centre and the Dominicans for Justice & Peace. The participants listened to a message of greetings and encouragement by Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, the new Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The General Assembly also agreed on a new four-year plan for Justice & Peace Europe, setting out the priorities of the network for the coming mandate. 

Re-election of the Co-Presidents and new members of the Executive Committee 

The General Assembly re-elected Archbishop Antoine Hérouard from France and Maria Hammershøy from Denmark as Co-Presidents of Justice & Peace Europe for a second three-year mandate. Deacon Gary Carville from Ireland and Prof. Fr. Vladimir Dugalić from Croatia were elected as new members of the Executive Committee, while the Assembly thanked Gertrud Casel, representing the Luxembourg Justice & Peace Commission, for her long-standing and dedicated service. Justice & Peace Europe expresses its gratitude to Justice & Peace Scotland, its President Archbishop William Nolan and its members, for hosting the gathering and for the very warm welcome offered to the European network. 

Glasgow, 21 September 2026

Download the Press release

Download the Final Declaration