After discussions with 17 victims of sexualized violence, the state synod changed the agenda for this topic-
Joint prayer in the Dreikönigskirche because of the acts of sexualised violence. © Naumann
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The regional church now knows of 30 victims who are said to be victims of sexualized violence by the former youth warden Kurt Ströer (1921-2013). The President of the State Church Office, Hans-Peter Vollbach, informed the State Synod at their spring conference late Saturday afternoon in the Church House in Dresden. For decades, young people had been abused by the long-time youth worker and deacon, said the president. “These were criminal offences,” according to the law of the time in the GDR as well as today, according to the lawyer.
The reason for this topic, which was spontaneously placed on the synod agenda, was an invitation from church leaders to a meeting of 17 victims of this experience of violence in Dresden, reported Synodal President Bettina Westfeld. The affected men are now between the ages of 55 and 79 years. Vollbach, Westfeld and regional bishop Tobias Bilz were invited to talk to them. “All three of us are still under the impression of the conversation and want to report publicly what we have heard,” said the President of the 28th National Synod.
State Bishop Tobias Bilz gave the Synodal “a snapshot of the dismay,” as he said. “Bad things happened to those affected,” which they could have endured for decades, says Bilz. He appealed to the members of the synod and the public – the synod conference was broadcast live on the Internet – to now hold back with judgments and evaluations. “We cannot and must not relativize what happened,” said the bishop. »For victims, all relativization is extremely painful«. It’s not about a judgment on Kurt Ströer’s entire life’s work, but “now we’re looking at the shadows,” says Bilz.
There is a particular pain where the deeds have been combined with spiritual actions, such as with a conversion conversation. This is practically incurable, said the regional bishop. A theological review is also needed. He also encouraged other victims to get in touch. After further information, in particular about the work of the state church on protection concepts, the state synods went to the Dreikönigskirche for a joint prayer.
From 1956 to 1986, Kurt Ströer was the youth director of the Saxon state church in the Chemnitz area, which was then Karl-Marx-Stadt. An allegation of abuse by Ströer had already become known to the state church in Saxony in 2012. At the end of last year, the regional church office informed the public in connection with the publication of a newspaper article in the Freie Presse. According to the President of the State Church Office, Hans-Peter Vollbach, Kurt Ströer’s acts of violence are now being scientifically processed by the Forum research association.
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