Old Catholic Synod in Mainz, Germany, Adopts Resolution Against Right-Wing Extremism and Racism

The Old Catholic Church’s Synod of Dioceses in Mainz, Germany, ended on a Sunday. According to Report 1 (katholisch.de, July 10, 2024), the synod distanced the church from extreme right-wing ideas. Report 2 (Vatican News) likewise says the synod distanced itself from extreme right-wing ideas and adopted a resolution against right-wing extremism and racism.

Earlier in the year, the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) adopted a declaration in February stating that ethnic nationalism, racism and anti-Semitism were incompatible with the Christian image of God and of human beings. The declaration mentions the AfD. The DBK said that commitment to the AfD and other extremist parties is an anti-Church activity that can lead to dismissal from church ministry or exclusion from honorary posts.

The two reports differ on the motion that the Old Catholic synod considered. Report 1 says a motion to exclude members of extreme right-wing parties from all church offices was not passed, according to the German diocese of the Church. Report 2 says a request that members of extreme right-wing parties be excluded from church membership was not passed. Both reports say the synod instead adopted a resolution against right-wing extremism and racism.

A spokesman told the Evangelical Press Service (epd) that concerns about possible legal pitfalls were raised during intense debate, and that these concerns had been overcome, as Report 1 puts it. Report 2 reports the concerns as having been raised during the debate, without saying they were resolved. According to Report 2, the synod had wanted to find concrete regulations for church members who belong to a right-wing extremist party or organization.

Bishop Matthias Ring declared that it is the duty of all church members to work for the preservation of democracy. Report 2 phrases this as the duty of all church members to defend democracy. In calling on members to protect the democratic order, the synod’s resolution speaks for those who are targeted by racism and extremism, a call to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9).

The German diocese of the Old Catholic Church has nearly 16,000 members in 60 parishes, according to Report 1. Report 2 gives the membership as about 16,000 and says the diocese is based in Bonn. The Old Catholic churches arose at the end of the 19th century in protest against the decisions of the First Vatican Council on papal infallibility.