The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing have almost something like heroic status in the community these days. They have offered their parking lot in front of their monastery as a location for container accommodation for refugees, thus enabling a way out of a dilemma after a mini golf course near a shelter and the remote BRK-Alm were discussed as locations. There was a lot of applause for the sisters recently in the municipal council. Applause? Prioress Ruth Schöneberger sounds rather pragmatic.
SZ: Many were against a container village on their doorstep, but not you. How so?
Ruth Schöneberger: Sure, we could also put a posh residential complex there. But when Mayor Greinwald and the district administrator approached us, it was clear: if it’s always “no” everywhere, that’s not a humane solution either. Here people have a meaningful connection and some space to play. Up on the mountain, on the other hand, it would be very difficult, especially for women with children.
But you must have had concerns, too, otherwise you could have contributed the location yourself.
Naturally. Where people are close together, problems can arise. We are also aware of that. Maybe we’ll have a row here. In the discussions, we were convinced that the containers now offer a comparatively large amount of privacy. If certain people or groups do not get along, they can be relocated. Young people sometimes make rampages too. We mustn’t forget: this is about people, not just any piece of furniture.
A local councilor warned of murders like those in Ludwigshafen and Würzburg. On the Internet, someone countered that no prison was being built here for violent offenders with open execution.
It’s really bad how quickly the mood turned aggressive. And yet it is the West that has helped to cause many of the problems that make people in the East flee. I can’t donate to sea rescue here and at the same time say: No containers on my doorstep, please. That doesn’t add up. The people who come are first of all in need, not perpetrators. I recently listened to a podcast about how things are currently going on at the border between Turkey and Bulgaria. The refugees are beaten and have to strip naked. That’s sadistic.
Where hospital employees are currently parking, a container village for refugees is to be built in the next few months. Parking spaces need to be redistributed in the area.
(Photo: Arlet Ulfers)
Work permit policies were liberalized; after three months, people can submit an application. In your opinion, what role does this play?
This is very important. If people just sit in containers and stare at the wall, they’ll go crazy. Man needs a task; it doesn’t matter if you’re German or Afghan. Luckily we have a very dedicated group of helpers in Tutzing and we get along well together. There are two terms in Latin. hostess means enemy hosp guest, friend So both are close together. If we look for the possibilities and not the misgivings, things go much better.
Many in the mission already have experience with refugees. To what extent do the nuns want to get involved in the container village on their doorstep?
First of all, we only provide a plot of land, we are not the operator. Then we have to see who has what capacities. There will definitely be one or the other. Also when it comes to help with bureaucracy. As a local, it’s difficult for you. But since the district office has assured that the people get help.