Lewd acts of aggression - House of Worship Determines to Alter Approach Regarding Aggression
The Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Hanover is making significant changes to address the issue of sexualized violence. The decision was made recently, where it was determined that the Sexualized Violence Office will see an increase in staffing, including a full-time position and additional roles. This office will also become more autonomous by being dissociated from the Church Administration's Legal Department. Additionally, church districts will now have access to an extra 500,000 euros for prevention work. Since several weeks ago, an anti-sexualized violence working group has been in operation to coordinate steps forward.
Further alterations in church-related tasks are on the horizon, including engaging victims in counseling services and integrating the Sexualized Violence Office into the State Synod's duties. Furthermore, adjustments in church regulations are in the works. These developments will be discussed in upcoming State Synod sessions, scheduled for November 26 to 29, 2024, and May 14 to 17, 2025.
Hanover's Bishop Ralf Meister emphasized the need for a cultural shift in managing sexualized violence cases. During the State Synod in the Stiftskirche of the Loccum Monastery, west of Hanover, he pledged that he would never deliver sermons or prayers without acknowledging the individuals affected by these experiences in the church. The 62-year-old theologian expressed this commitment during the Synod on Friday.
Prior to the meeting of the Church Parliament, there were demands for his resignation from victims who felt he didn't adequately address the matter of sexualized violence. After the Synod, he clarified to journalists that transformative change couldn't occur if the Church was thrown into an "institutional chaos scenario" due to staffing changes.
