Broad consensus supports disapproval of the Pope’s ideas

Benedict XVI will begin his journey through Germany next Thursday. Protest alliances have formed in Berlin, Erfurt and Freiburg to protest against the unacceptable policies of the church led by Benedict XVI. There is also cross-party criticism of Benedict XVI’s appearance before the plenary session of the German Bundestag. The Presidium of the Humanist Association of Germany (HVD) welcomed the critical voices and pleaded with people with a humanist and secular attitude to take part in the peaceful protests next week. In this way, the disapproval of many sometimes dramatic grievances and deficits in the positions of Benedict XVI and other representatives of the Church leadership, which is already supported by a broad social consensus, can be given the necessary hearing and attention. “I also welcome the welcome statement by the Vice-President of the Bundestag, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, who has expressed her great understanding for the protests, also with regard to the members of parliament,” said Frieder Otto Wolf. “From our perspective, it can even be seen as an imperative of humanity to take a clearly visible stand here on the occasion of Benedict XVI’s high-profile visit.” The association’s executive committee also expressed this view in an open letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the occasion of her meeting with Benedict XVI and called on her to express clear criticism of the Pope. Respect for human dignity, the absolute priority of peaceful expression of opinion and a differentiating perspective should remain indispensable in the coming demonstrations, Wolf also reminded the audience. If people want their critical positions to be respected, the legitimate interests of the people affected by the criticism must also be taken into account. Frieder Otto Wolf also pointed out that the protests on the occasion of Benedict XVI’s visit could not replace the more long-term commitment of civil society. After all, representatives of the Catholic Church itself had already clearly dampened or rejected most of the expectations or hopes expressed in the run-up to the Pope’s visit when it came to reforms hoped for by the faithful within and between churches. “We therefore want to continue to act as a point of cooperation and contact in the future to help ensure that many of the necessary developments can be implemented in the spirit of humanity,” said Wolf.