Comment: The Bishops’ Conference’s decision on the AfD is a wake-up call

By distancing itself from the AfD, the Bishops’ Conference sent a clear signal. It also puts other social actors under pressure to act.

The bishops are alarmed. So much so that for the first time they are formally advising against voting for a party that is represented in the Bundestag. Unanimously, none of the bishops said: “For heaven’s sake, we can’t exclude anyone.”

Such voices could still be heard a few months ago. Today, under the impression of the large rallies in many German cities, before several state elections and the European elections, the bishops say: “Right-wing extremist parties and those that proliferate on the fringes of this ideology” are “unelectable” for Christians.

Other social Actors under pressure

This appeal is a wake-up call to society. Because he comes from an institution that traditionally has difficulty with party political positions. Pastoral words about elections are otherwise rather general: always clearly against extremism, against division, against xenophobia. You could guess who was meant.

Now, for the first time, the bishops are explicitly denying a party’s eligibility. And in doing so, we also put other social actors under pressure: the Protestant church, sports clubs, business associations.

Almost 25 percent of the German population is a member of the Catholic Church. She is a cross-section of this society. AfD members are also involved here, and AfD officials are trying to take on voluntary church positions.

Dioceses of Berlin and Würzburg as a blueprint

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference also speaks unequivocally on this point: “The spread of right-wing extremist slogans” is incompatible with “voluntary service in the church.” But how should one deal with this requirement in everyday Catholic community life? The paper remains vague.

There are two dioceses, Berlin and Würzburg, which exclude AfD membership and church volunteerism in their statutes. This rule could become a blueprint for other dioceses. Because the pastoral word must also work in reverse: right-wing extremists have no place in a Christian church.

Clear demarcation needed

A specifically Catholic problem: The AfD addresses issues that are particularly important to conservative Catholics – the protection of unborn life, the fight for the “classic family” (whatever that means).

At this point the temptation is particularly great to take a common position with the self-proclaimed defenders of the Christian West. For example, at anti-abortion marches. Catholic bishops have been seen there regularly in recent years.

If the Catholic Church is serious about demarcation, it must be clear: Where AfD party supporters march, Catholic bishops, priests and all Catholics have no place.