The message in the Christmas masses sounds similar in many churches in Germany: an appeal against war and for togetherness. In Cologne, Cardinal Woelki thanked the police for their efforts to ensure security after suspicions of a possible attack.
People across the country celebrated Christmas by attending a church service. In Cologne, the Christmas mass took place under increased security precautions after possible plans to attack the cathedral became known.
Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki also used the Christmas mass as an opportunity to thank the police forces. Over the past two days they have “turned the cathedral upside down” and their work has enabled church services to take place as planned over the Christmas period. He is “deeply sorry” that many police officers who would have wanted to spend Christmas with their families “now have to do duty here to secure us and the cathedral.”
The cardinal also thanked the participants in the Christmas mass who “did not allow themselves to be frightened, but came here courageously.”
Increased Safety precautions at least until New Year’s Eve
Late on Saturday evening, police forces searched Cologne Cathedral for hours after authorities from abroad received a tip that a suspected Islamist-motivated attack on the building could be planned on New Year’s Eve. The investigation into the suspicion is ongoing; the first suspects have already been arrested in Saarland and Austria.
The police massively increased security measures in and around Cologne Cathedral on Christmas Eve. Visitors are checked upon entry. The measures should remain in force until at least New Year’s Eve.
Woelki preaches reconciliation and forgiveness
In his sermon, Woelki referred to the wars and conflicts occurring around the world. He recalled that God sent his Son into the world as Savior and Savior to defeat all hatred, war and terror. Woelki warned:
The path of God is not terror and war, but love, reconciliation, forgiveness and unity.
“Words create worlds”
Other Catholic bishops also took a clear stance against war and violence in their sermons. Similar to Cardinal Woelki, the chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, Georg Bätzing, also stated that Jesus stood for a world in which things were fair and humane because people looked out for one another and cared for one another.
According to the speech manuscript, the Limburg bishop also focused on the power of the word in his sermon. “Words create worlds,” said Bätzing:
Without honest words that inspire new trust, peace cannot come about – not on a small scale and certainly not on a large scale.
Bätzing warns against mistrust through empty promises
But words could also ruin worlds, warned Bätzing: “Promises are broken, big words are made, words hurt – whether with or without intention.” Many dramatic developments today are due to “the fact that noble words have subsequently proven to be deception, tactics or outright lies.” The distrust sown as a result drives wedges between people, groups and peoples.
But Jesus gives courage for the future to those who have to live in fear and terror and see no way out. Jesus is God’s “most beautiful, deepest and last word”, he is “God’s word of honor”.