An evangelical church in Germany has removed one of its members from all of his leadership roles as a result of his links to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Henry Preuß was stripped of his honorary positions with the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO) reportedly because he decided to stand for election on behalf of the party.
In April this year, the synod of the regional church decided that membership and active support of the AfD were incompatible with holding church offices.
This decision was justified by what was described as “recognisable further radicalisation of the AfD”.
Preuß is running as the AfD’s direct candidate in his region for the State parliament election on September 22, having already won seats on the Ostprignitz-Ruppin district council and the Neuruppin city council.
This did not sit well with the church, which invited the local politician to a hearing earlier this year on the issue.
When he allegedly did not respond to the summons, he was informed in writing that his membership of the local church council of Ruppin and its parish church council would end effective August 15.
Preuß was previously chairman of the local church council in Alt Ruppin.
A church spokeswoman told the Evangelical Press Service (epd) that Preuß would remain a church member and would continue to be invited to participate in all church events, services and offers of the church district and its parish.
The new regulations for revoking positions in such cases have been in effect since June 19. Subsequently, the church proceedings against Preuß were initiated.
In an interview with rbb (Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg), an institution under public law for the German States of Berlin and Brandenburg, based in Berlin and Potsdam, Preuß expressed his disappointment regarding both the church leadership’s decision and the State synod’s ruling.
He maintained that he perceived no “radicalisation” within the AfD and said he believed his actions were beyond reproach.
Despite his evident disagreement with the church’s stance, Preuß stated that he would comply with the withdrawal of his church positions.
This decision by the synod of EKBO diverges from the stance taken by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (ELKB). In late 2023, that church explicitly rejected a similar declaration of incompatibility between AfD membership and church offices.
In February, the Evangelical Church in Saxony-Anhalt withdrew the office of pastor Martin Michaelis because he was a candidate for the AfD.
Bodies linked to the Catholic Church have also accused the AfD of “increasing radicalisation.” In February, the country’s association of bishops described the party as “unelectable” for Christians, with action being taken against those holding lay offices in the Church who aligned themselves with AfD.
Irme Stetter-Karp, the President of the Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), linked the party to “xenophobia,” “anti-Semitism,” and other “inhuman attitudes.”
The German Roman Catholic Diocese of Trier has called for sponsorship for a new sea-rescue ship for the pro-migrant aid organisation Sea Eye. https://t.co/xVM8FEVWcl
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