An AfD member of the state parliament is expelled from the administrative board of a Catholic parish in Saarland. It is the first case nationwide and more could follow, says canon lawyer Thomas Schüller.
“The Catholic Church is putting its words into action and is taking a clear stance against the danger that extremist parties like the AfD pose to the political community, he says. The decision was primarily influenced by the declaration of the German bishops "Ethnic nationalism and Christianity are incompatible" from February 2024, says Vicar General Ulrich von Plettenberg. The vicar general said he was dismissed from his position as a member of the board of directors with immediate effect and "until further notice, he will no longer be eligible for such an office." The case is likely to be the first of its kind nationwide, according to research and the assessment of the Münster canon lawyer. It could be the start of further cases, said the German Press Agency (dpa).