Roman Zaviyskyy
Catholic thinking about peace and war
In this interview, Roman Zaviyskyy was asked to reflect on the position and tasks of military chaplains in Ukraine, his wartime experiences, questions about peace and war, and Catholic responses to the war.
Why this topic matters to me
Roman Zaviyskyy is a philosopher and theologian and president of the Ukrainian branch of the European Society of Catholic Theology.
Why I believe it is important to society
Unexpectedly for everyone in 2022, Ukraine became for many a sign of hope that took millions of people across the globe from darkness to light. This epic drama of heroic resistance of the Ukrainian David to the Russian Goliath reminded people that there is good and evil, freedom and dictatorship, lies and truth, life and death. It is perhaps the first time in post-modern European history that Europeans, with a European flag, have died for European democratic values – values which by many and quite often are taken for granted in the European Union nowadays. These values need our common defence and solidarity.
Impact of the Ladies of Bethany Chair on my life and career
In June 2023, Roman Zaviyskyy spent two weeks in the Netherlands at the invitation of Tilburg School of Catholic Theology to get in touch with colleagues and to conduct research into Catholic thinking about peace and war (supported by the Ladies of Bethany Research Fellowship, established by the Tilburg University Fund). June 29, 2024, Roman died in a tragic road accident in Lviv, Ukraine.
The difference I hope my work will make in the world
The insight that what does not help is an attempt at premature reconciliation in bello instead of post bellum.
Publications
Vos, P. (2023). Interview with Ukrainian Theologian dr. Roman Zaviyskyy War, Peace and Military Chaplaincy: Lessons Learned from Ukraine. Handelingen 3: 60-71.