The Bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Gebhard Furst, wants to meet with people who have left the church. In an interview with the Catholic News Agency (KNA) on Wednesday in Rottenburg, Furst explains his reasons and states his goals for the conversation.
CBA: Bishop Furst, against the background of the abuse debate of the past weeks and months, the number of people leaving the church has increased dramatically in your diocese as well.
Furst: Yes, we are registering dramatically increasing numbers of departures. First of all, we have to look at this situation honestly and unembellished: It's like this. And then we have to ask ourselves: What is the trigger for the resignation?? You can speculate about it, but you can also, as I am trying to do, invite people and ask them themselves what is the reason for their step. I would like to start by listening to them, and then enter into a conversation with them. Already these meetings are a value in themselves.
CBA: Exactly how many people have left?
Prince: In March, 2.676 Catholics in my diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart leave the church. I have written to each one and invited them. With a personal address, not with a mass mailing. There are three dates for talks: one in Stuttgart, one in Rottenburg and one in Upper Swabia, in Ravensburg. I would like to have the opportunity to listen and to talk to them. And then I look at what people say: it's nice that you have listened to us, but our decision is firm. Or: We actually want a church that is like this or like that.
CBA: What exactly should the meetings look like?
Prince: That has to do with how many want to accept the invitation. If 20 come to an appointment, a roundtable discussion is possible. It would be more difficult with 150. I will therefore first of all wait and see how many people report back.
CBA: What is the motive for your initiative?
Prince: As a bishop, I am concerned that many Catholics are turning their backs on the Church. Perhaps in these conversations I can introduce dimensions of church life that don't reach many at all – through whose fault so ever. Because we have a hard time as a church communicating with the many good things that are also happening. Maybe I can pass on something new.
CBA: Where do you suspect reasons for leaving?
Prince: The cases of sexual abuse in church institutions have certainly disturbed some deeply. In addition, there are other questions, other problems with the church, and at some point the famous straw that breaks the camel's back.
CBA: To the church tax …
Prince: … It's not so much that we are losing people for whom our message is actually intended and for whom we bear responsibility. I am convinced that this message helps people to succeed in their lives. As orientation, as a source of meaning. Interview: Sabine Kleyboldt