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"A great act of solidarity"
Ecumenical statement on 20 years of German unity
October 1, 2010
President Nikolaus Schneider, who chairs the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), and Archbishop Dr. Robert Zollitsch, who presides at the German Bishops Conference, have issued a joint statement marking the 20th anniversary of the restoration of German Unity, which took place on 3 October 1990.
Even twenty years after that event, they say, it seems "utterly incredible" that the "division of our country (.) which seemed to be an immutable political fact" had been overcome. This was "a turn of events for which we cannot thank God enough" and at the same time "a warning that we should not adjust to, and accept what are often called the 'realities' of this world". The 20th anniversary of the restoration of German unity is a good occasion to stop and think about what had been achieved, the church leaders state.
German unity has to date involved a great act of solidarity, they add. Every tax-payer has to pay a "solidarity levy" in proportion to their financial capacity to advance the construction of the eastern part of the country: "A contribution that does not ask too much of anyone." The "enormous solidarity contribution of the social insurance funds" must not be forgotten either. Involving the eastern German population in pension, health and unemployment insurance has substantially contributed to ensuring that social security is guaranteed in all far-reaching changes and will also be guaranteed for the future. Hence, according to Schneider and Zollitsch, Germans can be proud of what has been achieved in the last 20 years in terms of building up the 'new' federal states.
However, not all expectations have been fulfilled, they note. It still remains a challenge for Germans to grow back together - socially, politically, economically, and also culturally - and this process will extend far into the future. The two big Christian churches are ready to make their contribution "to a good and just development of our society and our state".
The two churches are particularly happy that the restoration of Germany's state unity is not just the answer to the German question but is also to be understood as a part of pan-European union. That is yet another reason for the churches to regard the 20th anniversary of the Day of German Unity as joyful occasion.
Hanover, 1 October 2010
Reinhard Mawick
EKD Press Office
The Churches' Joint Statement:
When the impossible becomes possible
A statement by the Chairperson of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, President Nikolaus Schneider, and the Chairman of the German Bishops Conference, Archbishop Dr. Robert Zollitsch, on the 20th anniversary of the restoration of German unity
Even twenty years afterwards, what happened between autumn 1989 and 3 October 1990 is utterly incredible. The decades of division of our country, caused by the Second World War and later cemented in the Cold War, which seemed to be an immutable political fact, were overcome. Finally the rule of law also prevailed in the territory of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR), instead of the arbitrary rule of the socialist unity party (SED), its disregard for freedom rights and repressive dealings with politically undesirable persons. What many among us, who became witnesses of this development, had regarded as fantasy, or utterly impossible, only a year before, actually came to pass. This was a turn of events for which we cannot thank God enough. And a warning that we should not adjust to, and accept, what are often called the 'realities' of this world. Hope springs eternal, the saying goes. "For nothing is impossible with God," says the Bible (Lk 1:37). Only those who believe that can recognize and seize the chances of changing the situation. Joachim Gauck, one of the first civil rights activists in the GDR, has been quoted lately as saying: "We had gotten too used to the realities."
The 20th anniversary of the restoration of German unity offers the opportunity to stop and take stock of the way in which West and East have grown back together. The growth of German unity is, above all, a great act of solidarity. Every tax-payer has to pay a solidarity levy in proportion to their financial capacity, and is thus involved in advancing the construction of the eastern states. That is a contribution that does not ask too much of anyone. The enormous solidarity contribution of the social insurance funds is not to be forgotten: involving the eastern German population in pension, health and unemployment insurance has substantially contributed to guaranteeing social security throughout all far-reaching changes. Germans can be proud of what they have achieved together in the last 20 years in terms of building up the 'new' federal states. However, they must also admit that not all hopes and expectations have been fulfilled. In many areas developments are not yet as advanced as would be desirable. Thus it still remains a challenge for Germans to grow back together - socially, politically, economically, and also culturally - and this will extend far into the future. But in view of the progress and successes of the last few years we are convinced that this process will ultimately succeed.
The social developments that have taken place since autumn 1989 have not stopped at the churches in Germany. Just under two thirds of all Germans still belong to one of the big mainline churches. The decline in church membership primarily due to demographics and the increasingly pluralist society has continued in past years. However, the churches are still ready to make their contribution to a good and just development of our society and our state. In their joint statement "Demokratie braucht Tugenden" (democracy needs virtues) they expressed the conviction that the values-led commitment of citizens is crucial for the future of our country. The reference to God in the German constitution calls believers of all religions to show respect for the inalienable dignity of human beings.
We are particularly glad that it has been possible to consider the restoration of Germany unity not just the answer to the 'German question' but as an element of pan-European union. The integration of a reunited Germany in a deeper and broader European Union is perhaps the greatest political achievement in connection with German unity. Thanks to the overcoming of communism and the Cold War in the whole of Europe we now live not just as good neighbors but also in friendship with other countries - in both eastern and western Europe. Together we work for a peaceful development of our continent. That is yet another reason why the churches see the 20th anniversary of the Day of German Unity as an occasion for rejoicing.
President Nikolaus Schneider
Council Chair of the Evangelical Church in Germany
Archbishop Robert Zollitsch
Chairman of the German Bishops Conference