German Federal States

Bishop acknowledges exclusion of AfD member

The Catholic Church continues to stand firm on its decision not to allow AfD state parliament member Christoph Schaufert (55) a role in its ranks, as Bishop of Trier Stefan Ackermann (61) has officially removed him from the Neunkirchen parish council.

SymClub
May 22, 2024
1 min read
NewsNews domesticChurchCatholic ChurchSaarbrückenIMAGESaarland regional newsStanger RalphTerminationPoliticiansSaarlandAlternative for GermanyNeunkirchenSaarland state parliament
Would not accept his expulsion from the church committee: Christoph Schaufert, deputy chairman of...
Would not accept his expulsion from the church committee: Christoph Schaufert, deputy chairman of the AfD parliamentary group in the state parliament

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No religious office functions here. - Bishop acknowledges exclusion of AfD member

Ackermann dismissed Schaufert's challenge against Plettenberg's verdict. Schaufert had stated that the sanctions were meant solely due to his "party connection" to AfD, not for any specific statements or actions he'd made. He couldn't be proven to have shown anti-clerical behavior or made comments contrary to Christian views on humanity.

Ackermann wrote back to Schaufert stating, "Exercising political representation roles in local councils, city councils, and district councils for AfD, along with serving in the Saarland state parliament, cannot be combined with holding a position on the parish's administrative board of the Trier diocese." Moreover, the trust has decreased substantially in the parish's administrative board due to Schaufert's engagement with the AfD.

AfD labeled as "suspected right-wing extremist case"

Ackermann mentioned the German bishops' statement, "Nationalism and Christianity cannot coexist." Schaufert, being an elected official for various councils and the state parliament, is viewed as more than just a regular member of AfD. As the party's representative, he's associated with its opinions.

This decision by the bishop was also influenced by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution's assessment classifying AfD as a "suspected right-wing extremist case".

Schaufert has 15 days to challenge the diocese's decision.

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Source: symclub.org

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