Editorials

Joint Statement

24 February, 2010

Joint Statement by the Vice-Chairperson of the EKD Council, Präses Nikolaus Schneider, and the EKD Synod President and Vice-President of the Bundestag, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, on the Resignation of Margot Käßmann

We deeply regret Margot Käßmann's decision to resign her functions. The integrity and clarity of her theological, sociopolitical and societal positions will be missed within the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). Her departure is a great loss for German Protestantism and a cause of great personal sadness. This departure, however, is consistent precisely with the integrity that we deeply appreciate in Margot Käßmann.

Yesterday, the Council of the EKD unanimously reaffirmed its confidence in Margot Käßmann. In so doing, it expressed its continuing willingness and desire to collaborate with her as chairperson of the Council. At the same time, it made clear that this undivided confidence included entrusting to her the decision on the future course to take as a result of this serious error. The Christian attitude towards a serious error has always been, and continues to be, rooted in the knowledge of one's human frailty and one's need for forgiveness. For many people including ourselves, the fact that Margot Käßmann immediately admitted her error and made no attempt to conceal her frailty is proof that she is a credible witness to life in God's forgiveness.

We respect her decision and know that we continue to live in fellowship with her, nurtured and united by a common faith and by the church.

Berlin / Düsseldorf, 24 February 2010

Note: The Constitution of the EKD provides that the vice-chairperson shall assume the function of chairperson of the EKD Council until the holding of new elections.  Elections will normally be held when the next EKD Synod convenes in Hanover from 5 to 10 November 2010.