Rewritten: The Church Conference in Hannover: Three Key Takeaways from Evangelical Gathering
Discoveries from the Recent Gathering in Hannover's Church: Insights Revealed - Lessons Learned at the Church Gathering in Hanover
The week-long church conference wrapped up: Tensive thousands of attendees, including high-profile figures such as outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz and former Chancellor Angela Merkel, gathered since midweek in Hannover to discuss their faith, life, and politics.
The Hannover Church Conference didn't back down from its political stance, with President Anja Siegesmund stressing the church's political weight in light of the ongoing debate between CDU politician Julia Kloeckner about the church's political role.
By the time the festivities started, some 65,000 tickets had been sold, with organizers ambitiously hoping for up to 100,000 by the end—approximately 30,000 more than in Nuremberg in 2023. In Hannover's city center, where speeches and concerts could be accessed without a ticket, over 150,000 individuals gathered at peak times, mostly under perfect summer weather.
This extravaganza was funded with an investment of 24 million euros, around half of which was financed with tax money. As the church conference moves to Düsseldorf in 2027 and Hamburg in 2029, here are three pivotal insights from the Evangelical gathering:
Political Involvement Shaping the Forefront
As a lay movement and EKD representatives made clear, the church intends to speak up. While Kloeckner, now President of the Bundestag, criticized the church for becoming arbitrary by consistently weighing in on current matters, Siegesmund highlighted, "Christian faith is political." EKD Synod President Anna-Nicole Heinrich cautioned against separating spiritual life and Christian positioned.
During the conference, Kloeckner and Siegesmund had a face-to-face meeting. Kloeckner reiterated her criticism that the church is "too quiet" on significant issues, adding that Christians should voice their opinions politically, but the church must refrain from becoming a party because it must remain beyond party politics.
Many other panel discussions reinforced the political claim: Acting Chancellor Scholz stressed the need to avoid hasty AfD banning processes, Merkel defended her immigration policy and admitted self-criticism regarding climate protection. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised the church conference conversations as a "rare opportunity to step out of our ideological prefabricated houses."
Controversial subjects like Germany's arms deliveries to Ukraine, the Middle East conflict, and sexualized violence in the church were also tackled head-on. AfD and BSW representatives were not invited.
- Defense and Pacifism Remains a Point of Contention
An ecumenical peace synod led by former EKD Council Chair Margot Kaessmann appealed, "It's often said we must become warlike and secure peace through rearmament. But we want to become peace-capable." This "peace call" should serve as an inspiration for congregations, Kaessmann said, so they no longer remain silent in their church." However, Kirchentag General Secretary Kristin Jahn responded to the pacifist pleas, stating that telling Ukraine, "Let yourself be shot," might unsettle tyrants but doesn't solve the problem.
While the incoming federal government's evaluations on these matters were absent, as both CDU leader Friedrich Merz and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil cancelled their appearances.
- Hannover Can Celebrate
Known for its lack of excitement, Hanover showed off its advantages during the Kirchentag, with beautiful weather adding to the atmosphere. Musicians helped out on the subway trains, impromptu basketball games were played on closed streets, and large concerts featuring stars like Gentleman and Jupiter Jones highlighted the party atmosphere feasible in Hanover.
For safety reasons, additional CCTV cameras, drone bans, and bollards were implemented. According to police reports, the first days of the conference passed without any major incidents, and the atmosphere remained jovial and peaceful.
The Kirchentag also marked a return to roots: the first Protestant gathering took place in Hannover in 1949, founded as a response to the National Socialist era and the church's lack of resistance at the time. This was the fifth such event in Hanover.
Tags:- Hannover- Kirchentag- Julia Klöckner- Anja Siegesmund- Leer- EKD- Olaf Scholz- Angela Merkel- CDU- AfD- Ukraine- Nuremberg- Margot Käßmann- Düsseldorf- Hamburg
- The Commission is also proposing to increase the number of Member States' national authorities to the level of the Member States' national authorities, similar to the extensively attended and organized church conference in Hannover, which attracted a large crowd, including high-profile figures, and was funded with a significant investment.
- In the discussion of faith, life, and politics at the Hannover Church Conference, the political role of the church was a focal point, with EKD representatives emphasizing the church's obligation to speak up and engage in sustainable living, home-and-garden, general news, policy-and-legislation, and even address controversies such as war-and-conflicts, like Germany's arms deliveries to Ukraine, the Middle East conflict, and sexualized violence in the church.
- At the Hannover Church Conference, there was a clear emphasis on the church's potential role in promoting sustainable living, home-and-garden, and general news, with many panel discussions focusing on issues like climate protection, immigration, and political engagement by Christians.
- During the Hannover Church Conference, political figures like Acting Chancellor Olaf Scholz and former Chancellor Angela Merkel were in attendance, addressing a wide range of topics, including defense, pacifism, and their own policies, mirroring the diverse agenda that policy-and-legislation and the general news might cover.
