Religion: Prelude to the Evangelical Church Congress in Nuremberg

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Kick-off to the Evangelical Church Congress in Nuremberg

Flags fly in front of the exhibition center in Nuremberg, where the 38th Evangelical Church Congress begins today. photo

© Daniel Karmann/dpa

Starting today, tens of thousands of people are meeting in Bavaria’s second largest city for the 38th Protestant Church Congress. The Federal President, the Chancellor and other politicians have announced their presence.

The 38th German Evangelical Church Congress begins today in Nuremberg. The opening service takes place on the main market – against the backdrop of the Imperial Castle and within sight of the two large Protestant churches of St. Lorenz and St. Sebald. Numerous people are expected in Bavaria’s second largest city until Sunday to deepen their faith together, but also to discuss current social issues.

Numerous politicians from the federal and state governments have announced their attendance. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will greet the guests after the service in the evening. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wants to arrive on Saturday. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Economics Minister Robert Habeck from the Greens as well as Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) are also guests in Nuremberg.

Climate crisis and Ukraine war in focus

The focus is on the effects of climate change as well as the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. There are different opinions in the Evangelical Church in Germany on the question of whether the Federal Republic should deliver arms to Ukraine.

Society is currently characterized by uncertainties, said the President of the Church Congress and former Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière. In such a situation, Christian confidence is crucial “for cohesion, for hope, for commitment”.

Both de Maizière and the Bavarian Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm stressed that the Kirchentag wanted to offer a platform for fair discussions and debates. The Erlangen theology professor and former chairman of the German Ethics Council, Peter Dabrock, also sees it that way.

Tradition as a “unique selling point”

However, he regretted that the individual lectures in the program had been abolished. Most of them have been great successes at previous church conferences. “I think that a lot of people don’t want to see people yelling at each other on talk shows, they want to follow lines of argument. And that the Kirchentag has given up on that is a shame. Sometimes you have a unique selling point because you’re deliberately old -fashioned. More courage for your own tradition!”

Around 2000 events are planned – mainly in Nuremberg, but also in the neighboring city of Fürth. “Now is the time” is the motto of the great faith meeting, it comes from the Gospel according to Mark.

dpa

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