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The theologian Gilles follows the clergy of Langendörfer: “An important day for the Church in Germany.”
1:51 pm, February 23, 2021
Amid massive criticism of the cover-up of abuse scandals, the German Bishops’ Conference has chosen a woman as general secretary for the first time.. The theologian Beate Gilles will succeed cleric Hans Langendörfer in early July, the bishops’ conference announced in a broadcast Tuesday. “This is an important day for the Church in Germany and for the German Episcopal Conference,” said conference president Georg Bätzing in an initial reaction.
“I see this as a strong sign that the bishops are fulfilling their promise to promote women in leadership positions.”stressed the Bishop of Limburg. Gilles was previously responsible for children, youth and families in his diocese. “I’m looking forward to the new job,” Gilles said of the choice. Since this year she has also been the federal president of IN VIA Germany, the Catholic social work association for girls and women. He is also a member of the German state broadcasting council for the dioceses of Hesse.
Surprising choice
Observers saw the surprising election as an attempt by the German bishops to venture out on an adventure to cover up abuse scandals. The Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, was caught in the crossfire in this regard. Bätzing had also accused his colleague of wrongdoing.
At the beginning of the virtual general assembly of the German bishops, there were protests for reform initiatives throughout Germany, which, among other things, called for women to have access to all positions in the church, the end of compulsory celibacy and double standards on the question of sexuality.
The secretary of the German Episcopal Conference supports the bishops in their work for the Catholic Church in Germany. The Bonn-based secretariat’s tasks range from coordinating international and ecumenical cooperation to interdiocesan observations and complementary socio-political issues. In addition, the secretary is also the managing director of the Association of Dioceses of Germany (VDD).
