The head of the World Council of Churches, Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, has voiced serious concerns about the increasing political exploitation of Christianity, warning it poses a significant threat to the faith’s integrity. In an interview with Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Bedford-Strohm highlighted troubling trends in the United States, Russia and within German domestic politics, emphasizing the dangers of allowing political agendas to commandeer religious identity.
Bedford-Strohm’s critique was particularly sharp regarding US President Donald Trump. He condemned Trump’s attempts to monetize religious sentiment – specifically referencing the former president’s reported plan to publish a personalized Bible – while simultaneously criticizing his rhetoric and policies that contradict core Christian values. Bedford-Strohm explicitly cited Trump’s dehumanizing language towards individuals, his treatment of refugees and overarching disregard for principles of compassion and human dignity. “We must, especially during Christmas, fight to end this complete instrumentalization of Christianity for one’s own political purposes” he stated, asserting that those who undermine fundamental Christian tenets should not be allowed to continue doing so. He further pointed to observations within US evangelical circles, noting a deliberate trend of political figures leveraging religious services to promote partisan ideologies.
Beyond the US, Bedford-Strohm directly confronted the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He condemned the Kremlin’s invocation of Christian culture to justify its brutal invasion of Ukraine and the daily loss of civilian lives. “Christian religion is being used to legitimize something that is the antithesis of Christian values” he argued, framing the current conflict as a stark test of truth and genuine faith during the Christmas season.
Closer to home, Bedford-Strohm expressed concern over the rhetoric employed by the German political party Alternative for Germany (AfD). He challenged their claim of protecting Christianity in Germany, particularly against Muslim refugees, stating it fundamentally contradicts the teachings of Jesus Christ. He stressed a need to engage with AfD supporters as individuals, while maintaining a clear rejection of the party’s policies, which he asserted are inconsistent with core Christian principles. “My stance is clear: The politics of the AfD is in clear contradiction to what Christianity stands for.
The World Council of Churches, a federation representing over 350 churches encompassing 600 million members across various denominations, has long been a voice for global ecumenical dialogue and justice. Bedford-Strohm’s statements underscore a growing unease within faith communities regarding the selective and manipulative appropriation of religious identity for political gain, potentially jeopardizing the moral authority and true essence of Christianity itself.