Germany’s Protestant and Catholic churches may be facing the biggest credibility crisis in decades after an unprecedented bout of scandal-fueled negative media coverage.
Bishop Margot Kassmann, the first woman to lead the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), resigned as leader of German Protestants on Feb. 24 after she was arrested for drunk driving, just four months into office.
In the same week, Catholic bishops met in Freiburg to address allegations of widespread sexual abuse of children by clergy that had surfaced late in January, prompting a possible criminal probe by state officials.
Germany is the birthplace of both the Protestant Reformation and Pope Benedict XVI, and religion plays a key role in German life; indeed, both churches are among the nation’s largest employers.
Very, very sad news, especially about the sexual abuse scandals. If the Catholic Church in Europe is now about to udergo what the American Catholic Church did back in 2002, it could be truly devastating. Particularly since the German (or Dutch, etc.) church isn’t as strong as the American church was to begin with.
As for the swift resignation of Bishop Margot Kassman as the chair of the EKD after she was arrested for DUI, that’s sad too, but it’s not nearly as big a threat to reputation of Christians and the Church in Germany. Still, I’m glad she acted quickly. There are some TEC bishops with drinking problems who haven’t showed such integrity.
David Handy+