Religious institution - Catholic Day offers insights into crisis dialogues
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz experienced a moment of passion. "You know, I actually enjoy this - it's the part I like the most: talking to citizens," Scholz stated at the Catholic Day conference. The discussion focused on "Strengthening Community, Shaping Society - Our Responsibility for Democracy" at the Erfurt Theater. The large crises, distrust, and hate speech were addressed during the event.
The day had already been turbulent for Scholz when protesters from the youth group Last Generation began interrupting him with chants and slogans. "Democracy needs honesty" and "Is my future irrelevant to you?" were the provocative phrases they shouted towards the chancellor.
Scholz maintained composure, attempted to respond professionally: "You need to pause for a moment now," Scholz said onstage. "Then, I'll answer your question." It made no difference.
The activists persisted, rolling out their banner and starting a choir chant: "Where, where, where is the climate chancellor?" The chancellor was unable to continue speaking due to the chaos. The moderator temporarily halted the event for three minutes. Both Scholz and the other panelists remained silent during this time. Moments of silence eventually led to the entire audience joining in a chant: "Lord, give us your peace." As a result, the tempers calmed down. Later, the organizers admitted they had tried to dialogue with the protesters, but it proved unsuccessful, requiring their removal from the venue.
Scholz emphasized the importance of everyone being able to express their opinion. During the event, he addressed topics such as the issues faced by younger generations, the threat from the far-right, and the intimidation of politicians, emphasizing the need to protect the public space.
The climate activists were eventually heard, but it's debatable whether their message permeated beyond their own circle.
Scholz acknowledged that mistakes could be made in communication within his coalition, emphasizing the importance of fostering a discussion culture, especially during trying times. While Scholz was addressing these issues, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck was held in high regard at a separate event in the Thuringian state capital. The topic then was "Accelerating the Social-Ecological Transformation."
Habeck gained admiration from the audience by addressing topics such as climate change, social balance, and justice, while also emphasizing the role of churches as symbols of hope for a better world.
Irme Stetter-Karp, President of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), voiced concerns regarding the distinct lack of thoughtful discussion at the Catholic Day's panel on reproductive rights: "There's a lot of unrest in this thematic area," she shared. "How can we, as Christian women, help prevent further polarization?" She cautioned that other cultures, like the United States, have already been impacted by this polarization.
