The AfD sometimes refers to the “Christian West”. However, according to the new Archbishop of Paderborn, their views are incompatible with basic Christian beliefs.
The new Archbishop of Paderborn, Udo Bentz, has accused the AfD of wrongly relying on the Christian view of humanity. “If this happens in order to distance ourselves from certain groups and minorities and deny them rights, then we have to say clearly: That is not what the Christian faith stands for,” said Bentz, who was inaugurated into office on Sunday in Paderborn became. “And I think we can claim greater interpretative authority here than the AfD.”
Bentz said he was extremely pleased with the clear declaration that the Bishops’ Conference adopted on the AfD at its spring general assembly. “It was very important that this was done unanimously. We may disagree on some things, but when it comes to the essential things, the core of Christianity, as the declaration says, then we all pull together,” Bentz said.
The declaration adopted by all Catholic bishops in Germany at the spring general assembly in Augsburg brands ethnic nationalism as incompatible with the Christian faith. The bishops write that it is precisely this ethnic-nationalist attitude that dominates the AfD. “The AfD oscillates between genuine right-wing extremism, which the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution attests to in some state associations and the party’s youth organization, and right-wing populism, which is less radical and fundamental. Right-wing populism is the shimmering edge of right-wing extremism, from which it is ideologically charged.” In both cases, stereotypical resentments are given free rein.
The bishops make it clear: “National nationalism is incompatible with the Christian image of God and humanity. Right-wing extremist parties and those that proliferate on the fringes of this ideology cannot therefore be a place for Christians to engage in political activity and are also not eligible for election. The spread Right-wing extremist slogans – including racism and anti-Semitism in particular – are also incompatible with full-time or voluntary service in the church.”
Source: Stern
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