Bishops Fehrs and Bätzing: Guard the Pillars of Democracy
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Clerics Fehrs and Bätzing Stand Firm for democracy's Core Principles - EU and Its Member Nations Engage in Discussions, Decisions
On the 80th anniversary of the close of the infamous Nazi regime and the Second World War on May 8, 1945, the two leading churches in Germany are urging the spotlight on the future.
They warn in a joint statement, "History teaches us that democracy in Germany wasn't protected by enough supporters ready to confront the challenges of the time, negotiate lasting solutions, and halt violence before it escalated." The statement was signed by Bishop Kirsten Fehrs, chairperson of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), and Bishop Georg Bätzing, head of the German Bishops' Conference.
The raising of National Socialism was fueled, in part, by fear of decline, anxiety among a significant portion of the population, and the crisis of traditional orders: "The desire for a swift change in circumstances paved the way for the dismissal, undervaluation, and outright rejection of Christian, humanistic, and Enlightenment values and the values they champion."
Defending Democracy
On this somber anniversary, the churches reflect on the European rebuilding efforts for peace on a global scale. By acknowledging the past mistakes, Europe and the Germans were given a chance to see that guilt and violence do not have to define the future. But the values of freedom, peace, law, and human dignity are under threat from within.
Those who have grappled with the origins of the calamities and the weight of guilt in the 20th century are left with the question of present and future responsibility. "From the gratitude for reconciliation comes the will: This time, we defend our values! We stand opposed to any attempts to revive the spirits of violence and human hatred," the statement declares.
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Insights:
The bishops Kirsten Fehrs and Georg Bätzing call for the preservation of democracy on this momentous anniversary, emphasizing the need to uphold democratic values in light of history's lessons. While the detailed comments from the bishops on this anniversary are not directly mentioned in the search results, their stance on social justice, peace, responsible leadership, and democracy aligns with the broader context.
Fehrs, as the president of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, advocates for a human-centered approach and humility, as demonstrated by her comments on Pope Francis[1]. Bätzing, as a Catholic bishop in Germany, has participated in public discourse about political matters, emphasizing the importance of responsible leadership and democracy[2].
Their combined appeal honors the sacrifices made during World War II and serves as a reminder that democracy necessitates continuous vigilance and commitment from all sectors of society to prevent the recurrence of such historical tragedies.
- In a joint statement on the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 1945, Bishop Kirsten Fehrs of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and Bishop Georg Bätzing of the German Bishops' Conference urged Germans to guard democracy's pillars and uphold its values, learned from history.
- The two bishops, Fehrs and Bätzing, reflect on Germany's past and the need to learn from it, as the values of freedom, peace, law, and human dignity are under threat from within.
- In their joint statement, the bishops Fehrs and Bätzing warned that democracy in Germany wasn't safeguarded by enough supporters ready to confront challenges, negotiate lasting solutions, and stop violence before it escalated.
- The joint statement by Bishop Kirsten Fehrs and Bishop Georg Bätzing, issued on the 80th anniversary of the closing of the Second World War in 1945, emphasized the importance of the present and future responsibility to defend democratic values.
