Smaller through faith, possibly an example for the future of churches in the East?

A small and steadfast group of worshippers could be the blueprint for modern-day Christianity.

Approximately 25 million German Catholics are spread across the country, but only a quarter of them reside in the eastern region. Soon, these Catholics will assemble for Catholic Day, providing a glimpse into the life of a minority faith in a mostly secular society. What lessons can we learn from this dwindling community, which faces nationwide declines in membership? According to an expert, focusing solely on internal church issues won't offer much insight.

Catholic Day is taking place in Thuringia's Erfurt, where Christians can examine their impending fate as a diminishing religious minority. For years, Eastern Germany has struggled with its dearth of churchgoers. A study by the University of Chicago classifies the region as the least religious area worldwide. Few people are members, few infants are baptized, and many church buildings are falling into disrepair. The church acknowledges this, but remains optimistic. The East appears to be adopting a new role as a testing ground for the church. The event kicks off on Wednesday.

"I'm amazed by the resilience and confidence with which our fellow believers in the East are dealing with their diaspora situation," says Georg Bätzing, head of the German Bishops' Conference. "Their small numbers only make them stronger in shaping their own Christian identity in society." This example suggests that a shrinking Christian population "does not have to mean a sectarian or elitist mentality," states Bätzing. Instead, Christians should be confident in setting their own standards and offering guidance to those outside the church. "I see an appealing future for the church as a whole," he adds.

Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow is intimately familiar with the experience of being a minority in multiple aspects. "I'm a Westerner in an East Party, a self-proclaimed Christian in a party that's predominantly atheistic," Ramelow states. "I'm also a practicing Christian in a party known for its atheism." Ramelow is aware of the loss of significance of churches, the power abuse scandals, and the revelations of sexual assault allegations. "Yes, there is an exodus occurring in both churches," he acknowledges. "However, there appears to be a strong desire for something spiritual."

Addressing the non-necessity of religion in modern society, church historian Jörg Seiler from the Catholic Theological Faculty of the University of Erfurt points out that most people in the East are not religious. "The non-religious form the majority here in the East," Seiler says.

In terms of numbers, there were roughly 20.9 million Catholics in Germany by the end of 2022, with around 800,000 in the eastern German states and Berlin. This represents 3.1% of the population in Saxony-Anhalt and 7.5% in Berlin. The Diocese of Erfurt registered around 137,000 members.

The figures for the Evangelical Church (EKD) in the East are slightly higher, with 19.2 million congregants nationwide and 2.3 million in the region. Their population share ranged from 3.1% in Saxony-Anhalt to 18.7% in Thuringia. In other words, approximately 80% of the population in these states are no longer attending church.

Past events shaped the East's relationship with religion. The National Socialists and the SED, two atheistic regimes, imposed their influence on the churches. "The SED government tried to suppress the church, and people could simply leave it," explains religious and church sociologist Gert Pickel. Thus, the current generation has fewer connections to religious practices.

In addition to historical factors, general trends are also driving the decline in church attendance. Both eastern and western populations now move and reorganize their lives more frequently, and lessen their ties to their respective church communities. "On Sundays, people may choose to spend time with their families, visit the zoo, museums, or engage in sports rather than attending church," says Pickel. "The importance of religion is simply waning."

By 2060, the number of church members in Germany is projected to drop to 22.7 million - half of the population from 2022, according to a 2019 University of Freiburg study. Eastern Germany's two large Christian denominations are predicted to have only 1.5 million members.

Despite these projections, Seiler foresees the survival of the church system. "If we maintain the church tax system and continue to financially support the church, the structural collapse of this church system is unlikely," he contends.

The historian's view is that a role for the church goes beyond pastoral care and encompasses social cohesion. Therefore, organizations must stay clear of focusing solely on internal church issues. According to Seiler, if the church no longer provides a platform for people to come together and create a better world, then funding should be reduced to the current levels.

The key appeal of the Catholic Day seems to be addressing the pressing social issues: over 20,000 people are projected to attend, with a mix of politicians and celebrities - from the highest office to the Chancellor. Federal Economic Minister Robert Habeck explains his attendance saying, "The Catholic Day, especially during times of war, centers around peace, an ambition that many people share." He continues, "I too hold this longing for peace, which I define as a duty encompassing diplomacy and reconciliation, yet naivety is not included."