A Catholic Bishop in Germany has criticized the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for its decision to collaborate with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) on asylum policy in the Bundestag. Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen stated that the CDU should not have allowed this and that “this political act was terrible.” He also expressed the opinion that churches should not comment on every event, as they risk losing their credibility.
Meanwhile, the Evangelical Regional Bishop of Hannover, Petra Bahr, described the Bundestag’s decision as “the greatest taboo break in the parliamentary history of Germany.” She emphasized the importance of considering the consequences of such decisions, particularly in the context of asylum and migration.
Bahr also expressed concerns about the role of churches in addressing these issues, stating that they should not only focus on the dignity of human beings but also consider the needs of those who are overwhelmed. She emphasized the importance of listening to the concerns of local authorities, schools and social services, without immediately politicizing the issue.
While the bishop acknowledged that the CDU’s decision was a political coup, she also highlighted the importance of considering the social cohesion that holds a society together. She also regretted that the Diakonie and Caritas, two prominent Christian social organizations, did not raise the issue of providing psychological and psychiatric care to refugees earlier, citing the recent attack in Aschaffenburg, in which a refugee was involved.