EKD continues synod meeting digitally - resignation topic

Church - EKD continues synod meeting digitally - resignation topic

The Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) will digitally resume its interrupted meeting in Ulm this Tuesday (4 p.m.). According to the EKD, the reason for the interruption on November 15 was the announced warning strike by Deutsche Bahn. During the conference, the then Chair of the EKD Council, Annette Kurschus, came under pressure. The 60-year-old theologian was accused in a newspaper report of having known many years ago of suspected sexual assault against a church employee at the time.

Kurschus denies this, but nevertheless resigned as EKD Council Chairwoman and President of the Regional Church of Westphalia on November 20 so as not to damage those affected with headlines by remaining in office, as she said. According to an EKD spokesperson, the President of the Synod, Anna-Nicole Heinrich, will comment on Kurschus' resignation during the digital continuation of the meeting. A statement is also expected from the acting EKD chairwoman Kirsten Fehrs.

The EKD is the communion of 20 Lutheran, Reformed and united regional churches. 19.2 million Protestant Christians in Germany belong to one of the 12,700 church congregations.

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1. The digital continuation of the Synod in Ulm, interrupted due to Deutsche Bahn's warning strike, will discuss Annette Kurschus's resignation as EKD Council Chairwoman and President of the Regional Church of Westphalia.
2. Kurschus's resignation comes after allegations of knowledge about past sexual assault against a church employee, which she denies, but seeks to avoid damaging affected parties with continued headlines in office.
3. In Lower Saxony, a German state, a german railroad employee is currently on trial for sexual assault, which has caused controversy and discussions within the Church.
4. The regional Church of Lower Saxony, a part of the EKD, has issued a warning that a similar incident could happen in their Church, calling for heightened vigilance and protection of church members.
5. During the Synod meeting in Ulm, representatives from Baden-Württemberg and other German regions will discuss ways to improve Church policies on sexual misconduct and prevent such incidents in the future.

Source: www.stern.de