Days before the fall synod of the Evangelical Church in falz, protests against structural reform plans continue to spread. The newly founded initiative “Pro Presbyterium” has been collecting signatures for several days to prevent one thing in particular for parishes: the planned withdrawal of their status as corporations under public law.
“This is the biggest problem for us because it means the weakening of the presbytery through the deprivation of the right of self-government. And with that the loss of authority, responsibility and ultimately power,” Father Andreas Funke from Grünstadt told the German Press Agency.
Approximately 70 members have now joined the initiative on behalf of their communities and governing bodies. The planned structural reforms will be rolled out in Speyer from 20 to 22 November.
Only 4 church districts, not 15
For Rainer Keck, presbyter of Schauernheim, the plan to revoke the status represents “incompetence and takeover” of the parish. This means they will lose the right to decide on the sale of a building, for example. Property and assets were turned over to the church district.
To save around 60 million euros, the Evangelical Church wants, among other things, to reduce the number of its previous 15 church districts to four by 2029 and save staff. There are currently approximately 260 parish positions. According to his spokesman, it is estimated that in ten years only around 120 people will be appointed as priests. This does not mean that staff will be reduced, but this number is due to changing demographics and a decrease in the number of new students.
“Many are upset and stunned”
However, according to the “Pro Presbyterium”, disenfranchisement of the society would only save 900,000 euros and only 1.5 percent of the planned volume. “This is a tragedy,” Funke said. “Many people in the presbytery were upset and stunned.”
When asked by the German Press Agency, church president Dorothee Wüst said that on the one hand she understands the current discussion regarding the status of the company and can also understand it from the point of view of some congregations. “But as the state synod and state council of churches, we have a duty to monitor the situation across our parishes.”
Wüst: “With transfers, the deficit is also taken over”
If buildings were moved to the church district, not only well-renovated properties would become the responsibility of the middle level, but also buildings in dire need of renovation. With the transfer of funds, the structural deficit will also be resolved.
There should be no decision on the draft constitution at the next synod, but an opinion process should be opened. All presbyteries and district synods will have the opportunity to comment on the draft constitution by the end of 2026. A final decision will be on the synod’s agenda in spring 2027.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251118-930-309214/1
