Editorials

With Faith in God and Awe

Margot Kässmann succeeds Huber at the head of the EKD

October 29, 2009

Margot Kässmann quickly wiped away the tears of joy and hastened to the podium.  She'd done it, at last, the first woman.  Now, she must quickly compose herself and find the right words. Shortly after 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning the result was clear: the 51-year-old bishop will be standing stand at the helm of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) for the next six years.

Her election and even the overwhelming majority of 132 votes out of a total of 141 valid ballots came as no surprise.  Although in the weeks preceding the Synod meeting, rumors speculated whether a divorced woman could really become Council chairperson, by Sunday evening, the scales had definitely tipped in favor of Kässmann.

This mother of four daughters masters the art of being at once an accomplished theologian, a devout Christian and a human being like you and me, a quality which also impressed Synod members. Presenting her candidature, Kässmann spoke frankly about her divorce and used words that created a wave of empathy: "With sadness I had to come to terms with the fact that one gift had not been granted to me, namely that of a life-long marriage."

Quoting her grandmother's words of wisdom, the newly elected Council chairperson made perfectly clear with a glint in her eye that she had both feet solidly on the ground. Following her ordination as pastor, her grandmother had told her, "To whomever God gives responsibility, God also gives the force to carry it out."

The slender woman with large, dark brown eyes clearly intends to tackle her new task head-on. She had already been seriously considered for the post six years ago, but the Synod and the Church Conference at the time opted for the traditional male solution, electing Wolfgang Huber to the head position.

Kässmann is aware that she is stepping into very big shoes. She speaks of "great awe before the task that awaits me," and the "enormously high standards" that Huber had set." Huber occupied the public scene more than any of his predecessors.  He could take part in a talk show as easily as be the guest lecturer at a school of theology.

The bishop of the largest Evangelical Lutheran regional church is, however, reputed to possess more personal charisma and frequently allows her emotions to show. For example, at her election to the new Council last Tuesday, she had to fight back the tears. As the only female candidate, she attained the required two-thirds majority in the first round of voting. Late that evening, when, after the tensions of the previous days, she also received news of the death of the regional bishop from Stade Manfred Horch, it was more than her composure could resist.

Several candidates did not achieve the two-thirds majority until late into the night. Only toward 1:30 a.m. was it clear that no agreement would be reached on the designation of the last remaining Council seat.  As a result, this Council will begin its six-year term with 14 rather than the usual 15 members. Inner church circles viewed the muffed election with a hint of bitterness.

In contrast, the election of Kässmann's deputy, Rhenish church president Nikolaus Schneider, proceeded without incident. Kässmann appeared satisfied: "I have known Niko Schneider for a long time and I am extremely glad."

Most of all, the bishop is proud of her own church for having kept its word-women can occupy any ecclesial function.  In May, Katrin Göring-Eckardt was elected to head the Synod as its president.  Barely six months later, Kässmann has reached the top position. "I am moved by the fact that the Evangelical Lutheran Church has finally taken this step. The event was almost eclipsed by Angela Merkel's election on the very same day to a second term as federal chancellor. (epd)

Resolutions of the Second Session of the 11th Synod in Ulm (in German)