The German bishops explained the criteria for releasing supporters of “extremistic” parties from church posts. In a 36-page paper published on 26 September, the bishops stated that decisions should be taken on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the strength of the "extremistic tendencies" of the individual afraid and the importance of the position taken by him. The paper mentions AfD as many as 56 times. It besides lists smaller parties: Die Heimat (Home) and Der III. Weg (Third Road).
"The basic thought is that no 1 should be excluded or branded per se," we read in the text.
The guidelines of bishops, which are not binding on the diocese, appear 7 months after they issued a landmark declaration condemning what they have termed "populist (völkisch) nationalism".
The declaration, caused by the increasing organization alternate for Germany (AfD), ruled that "the spread of right-wing extremist slogans, including racism and anti-Semitism in particular, is incompatible with professional or volunteer service in the Church."
It must be remembered that the Catholic Church is 1 of the biggest employers in Germany, and Caritas herself employs almost 700,000 people. Germany besides has an extended network of Catholic associations, covering thousands of paid workers and volunteers.
After the bishops' declaration, the AfD members of February began to be released from church posts.
In April, the Diocese of Trewir expelled from the parish council a politician representing the AfD in the Parliament of Rhineland-Palatinate. In July 20-year-old AfD authoritative was reported to have been informed that he could no longer service as an altar boy, teacher and occasional organist in a parish in Hamm, western Germany.
The fresh paper provides advice on the explanation of German rules The Church on Employment, known as the Basic Order of the Church Service, in light of the February Declaration.
The text states that the provisions which apply to both volunteers and full-time workers require that those taking positions identify themselves with the objectives and values of the Church.
"These basic principles of the Catholic Church are not consistent with extremist positions or racial-national ethos, aiming for an unchanging cultural identity and homogenous community of origin, and as a consequence systematically and regularly excludes people," we read in a paper which was approved by the Council of the German Conference of Bishops on 26 August.
The text explains that since “it cannot be expected that each associate of the Church will have the same level of recognition with the objectives and values of the Catholic institution”, it was essential to separate between 3 different categories of persons.
The first category includes those who lead Catholic institutions and associations. The paper states that in the case of leaders, the AfD membership "may objectively undermine the credibility of the Church".
In the case of persons in the second category who execute pastoral, catechist or liturgical functions or are employed in parish offices, ‘membership in a organization or extremist organisation or support itself is not adequate to have direct legal consequences’.
In the 3rd category there are persons who “should keep only the level of loyalty that is essential to execute their activities in the service of the Church.” Violations can usually be punished only if they openly question the basic principles of the Church.
The fresh paper mentions AfD 56 times. It besides mentions the smaller parties Die Heimat (Home) and Der III. Weg (Third Road) as examples of partisans occupying right-wing-extremist positions. It was stressed that the principles mentioned apply to "all parties and organisations with (right or left) extremist orientation".
Explaining the focus on AfD, the text states: “Members and representatives of AfD frequently publically advocate right-wing extremist positions that do not respect human dignity and are diametrically contrary to the Christian view of humanity, the commandment of neighbour love and Catholic social science... so that there is simply a contradiction with the order of the values of the Church.”
"There are clear indications in the AfD that the dominant part of the organization seeks to discriminate against persons of migrant origin on the basis of a "ethnocultural" concept of cultural origin that is incompatible with respect for human dignity".
The paper adds: “This concept of ethnicity is based on the thought of a culturally homogeneous population consisting exclusively of indigenous Germans. It is characterized by the thought that nations disagree in their unchanging cultural identity and constitute a homogeneous community of origin."
In conclusion, the paper states: “The basic thought is that there should always be an open and instructive conversation with a associate in the service of the Church – regardless of the expected consequences.”
"This may aid to explain to a individual the incompatibility of right-wing extremist ideas with the basic principles of the Catholic Church and encourage it to change its orientation or direction".
"This must be regularly distinguished from pastoral situations. The Catholic Church is simply a listening Church, which is and always remains in open and respectful dialog with people. Participation in the life of the community, in the services and in the sacraments is always clearly desirable" . indicated German bishops.
AfD achieved good results in the September national elections, finishing second in Saxony, first in Thuringia and second in Brandenburg.
Germany will vote in the national election on 28 September 2025. Public opinion polls now foretell that AfD will take second place, behind the Chadetic parties (CDU/CSU).
Source: KAI
