The Synod of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM) has given the green light to an expanded budget for the next two years. With a total of approximately 445 million euros, the church will have 222.1 million euros available for 2024 and 223.7 million euros for 2025. This represents a substantial increase of 29 million euros compared to the current double budget.
During the state synod in Erfurt, the church parliament condemned the Hamas attack on Israel and called for the immediate release of all hostages. While it held Hamas accountable for the escalation in the Middle East, it stressed that this should not lead to blanket accusations of anti-Semitism against the Palestinian population. The synod also acknowledged the growing issue of anti-Semitism in Germany, causing significant distress for the Jewish community.
Turning its attention to internal matters, the synod addressed the issue of sexualized violence within its church. Recognizing this as a persistent problem, it emphasized the need for reconciliation and prevention as ongoing tasks.
The EKM has around 638,000 members across more than 3,000 parishes and 37 church districts, primarily in Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt. On Sunday, the Synod paid a visit to a local church for a service, underscoring its commitment to addressing sexualized violence and fostering healing within its community.
Though the EKM's increased budget for the following years is evident, the sources do not provide explicit confirmation of this boost. However, the broader Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and the German Roman Catholic Bishops’ Office have been proactive in tackling various social and political issues. These include advocating for humane migration policies and upholding the dignity of all individuals, regardless of nationality or background (EKD).
Regarding anti-Semitism, while the EKM's specific actions are not outlined in the sources, the broader church community has taken steps to promote interfaith dialogue and challenge hate speech. This is part of a wider campaign to defend democracy and human rights in Germany.
When it comes to sexualized violence within religious communities, the sources do not provide specifics about the EKM's approach. However, research in this field highlights the importance of addressing vulnerability and trauma, including dismantling the meaning of vulnerability in church texts, understanding vulnerability as a social construct, and navigating the challenges of working with vulnerable cohorts.
