Summary
Alexander Kissler, a Catholic journalist, criticizes the current course of the Catholic Church in Germany in his piece published on “NIUS.” He argues that instead of addressing existential religious questions, the institution has become a laboratory for left-leaning social engineers. Kissler points out a dramatic decline in religious education as German Catholics turn to identity politics rather than spreading the Gospel. According to Kissler, this can be seen in initiatives like the Synod on Gender (led by Astrid Franssen from Bamberg) or efforts focused on gender questions and quotas. The critic highlights that the Catholic Church is increasingly aligning itself with left-wing ideologies, attempting to regulate families through initiatives such as a “co-management” approach. This, according to Kissler, erodes individual freedom, tradition, and ultimately faith. The article particularly emphasizes the harsh language used by Berlin’s Generalvikar Manfred Kollig in dealing with critics of the Synod on Gender, labeling them as “rebels” who should not be rewarded. Kissler describes this approach as a form of bureaucratic enforcement, aiming to remove all non-left-leaning individuals from the Church. He sees it as an attack on genuine faith and describes the current state of the Church as a pseudo-institution that prioritizes quotas over faith. This pseudokirche is described by Kissler as having lost most members due to its focus solely on social issues rather than spiritual guidance. Kissler’s summary concludes with criticism of the institution’s withdrawal into its financial resources and hardened positions, transforming it from a community of believers into an ideology-driven organization.
Key Topics
Berlin, Synodale Kirche, Manfred Kollig
