Evangelical churches: From Scholz to Merkel: Kirchentag sets political accents

The Evangelical Church Day started in Hanover with tens of thousands of visitors. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised the Kirchentag as a place where everything could be discussed. “He is the place where we ask the questions that are currently burning us on our nails,” said Steinmeier. This applies both personally and socially. The Kirchentag is also a “very, very rare chance that we will be out of our ideal prefabricated houses”.

Steinmeier’s speech was followed by two opening services held in parallel, for which around 40,000 people were expected. Afterwards, the head of state wanted to participate in the city center in an “evening of the encounter” with up to 150,000 people.

Siegesmund: “Christian faith is political”

Kirchentag President Anja Siegesmund had previously announced the debate on the political role of the Church, triggered by the CDU politician Julia Klöckner: Showing was one of the most important topics of the church festival planned until Sunday. “Yes, it needs a church that also expresses itself politically and shows attitude,” she said.

Christians not only have the right, but the obligation to show attitude. “Christian faith is political. What drives us Christians is not simply putting that together as a person on each other,” said Siegesmund.

The executive Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) also said: “It is important that the churches in Germany continue to raise their voice for humanity, solidarity and cohesion in political debates.”

Which politicians are on the guest list – and which not

In contrast, Klöckner, now the Bundestag president, had warned in mid -April to risk the Church to become arbitrary if they constantly gave up statements on daily issues and no longer had the fundamental questions of life and death in mind. “Then unfortunately it will also be interchangeable,” she said the “Bild am Sonntag”.

On Saturday, Klöckner will take part in the Kirchentag and discuss the role of the Church with Siegesmund and Anna-Nicole Heinrich, President of the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD).

The other guests of the church day include the executive Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) at one of his last dates in office, its predecessor Angela Merkel (CDU) and former Federal President Christian Wulff. Representatives of AfD and BSW were not invited.

Police tightened security measures

In total, the Kirchentag comprises around 1,500 events at more than 60 locations. According to the organizers, around 65,000 tickets were sold until the morning of the opening day – that was more than at the start of the church day in 2023 in Nuremberg. Over the next few days, the organizers expect up to 100,000 participants in the main program.

The police even adapt to around 150,000 visitors every day, because the events in the city center – including large concerts by Gentleman and Jupiter Jones – can also be visited without a ticket. Additional surveillance cameras, drone bans, road closures and bollards should ensure security.

EKD: Uniform compensation for victims of abuse

There will be controversial discussions at the Kirchentag, among other things, about German arms deliveries, the Middle East conflict and the climate crisis. Sexualized violence is also expressly discussed. So the artist Julia Krahn will portray women who have experienced sexual violence.

Already in March the Council of the EKD decided to standardize the compensation for victims of sexual violence in the Evangelical Church nationwide. Among other things, the new guideline stipulates that victims of abuse in EKD or Diakonie receive a flat rate of 15,000 euros if there is a criminal crime – even if it has already become criminal.

Kirchentag defends grants in the millions

The Evangelical Church currently has almost 18 million members in Germany. However, the number of members has been declining for years.

Because of this falling meaning, there is criticism of the public grants in the millions for the event. Kirchentag President Siegesmund replied that on the one hand, the region will also benefit economically from the Kirchentag, and that it would talk to people who would otherwise not be the case. All who respect Christian values ​​are invited.

The budget of the church day is around 24 million euros. This includes grants from the state of Lower Saxony of seven million euros and the city of Hanover of four million euros. The federal government contributes 800,000 euros.