Bishop Kirsten Fehrs, stepping in as interim Chair of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), is set on mending frayed trust when it comes to handling and preventing sexualized misconduct. "First and foremost, it's about rebuilding that trust," Fehrs shared with Hamburger Abendblatt, acknowledging the need for open dialogues to achieve this goal. By January, the results of the independent Forum Study are due, likely unveiling numerous structural problems that require immediate attention. "We've got a long way to go," Fehrs admitted.
Fehrs, Bishop of Hamburg and Lübeck, is resolute on maintaining the church's dedication to handling sexualized violence with sensitivity, pledging to keep those affected at the center of decision-making processes. Fehrs, an EKD Sexualized Violence Participation Forum member, assumed the role of interim Council Chairperson following Annette Kurschus' resignation. The committee's members distanced themselves from Kurschus, whose responsibilities as EKD Council Chair and Regional Church of Westphalia President were relinquished under the weight of accusations that she had ignored allegations of sexually explicit misconduct by a previous church employee for years.
EKD represents about 19.2 million Protestant Christians in Germany, which has been marred by accounts of sexualized violence, necessitating extensive efforts to rebuild trust.
In line with this commitment to transparency and inclusion, the church is working to streamline decision-making processes regarding sexualized violence with increased input from those affected. This new approach is crucial as the church grapples with the structural issues highlighted in the forthcoming Forum Study report, aiming to heal past wounds and prevent future occurrences.
While specific information about EKD’s efforts remains limited, the broader context shows that both Catholic and Protestant churches in Germany are actively addressing sexual abuse and restoring trust. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, a key figure in the Catholic Church's response, has emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability, apologized for institutional failures, and pledged support for victims.
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