Archbishop Heiner Koch, Head of the Archdiocese of Berlin, welcomes the reintroduction of religion as a regular subject in compulsory electives, as agreed in the black-red coalition agreement. “Societal cohesion also means that children and young people can deepen their own religious or ideological convictions and deal with them as they get older,” said Koch.
Koch therefore welcomed “the fact that the coalition intends, as in almost all other federal states, to introduce a subject that is state-organized and supervised, and that the respective religious or ideological communities are responsible for the content”.
Break with Berlin specialty
In negotiations with the SPD, the CDU had managed to break with a Berlin peculiarity. This consists in the fact that religion has not yet been a regular subject. Instead, the lessons are given under the responsibility of the religious and ideological communities. This is why the subject is voluntary, is not graded and is usually moved to the off-peak hours.
Churches are recognized as enriching partners in the commitment to social cohesion.
Henry CookArchbishop of the Archdiocese of Berlin, Brandenburg and Western Pomerania
Koch also expressly welcomed “the fact that churches are recognized in the coalition agreement as enriching partners in the commitment to social cohesion”. This appreciates the diverse commitment in city-wide alliances and also the commitment of many parishes, groups and associations in initiatives in districts and districts. In this context, there is already intensive cooperation with people who are otherwise or not religiously oriented in many cases.
For good social development, said Koch, the top priority is an education system that gives all children and young people fair access to educational opportunities, regardless of their family background or the financial means of their parents. The Archdiocese is involved with a large number of daycare centers, schools and other educational institutions.
It is gratifying that the coalition intends to use grants to strengthen those schools that work inclusively and ensure a social mix of the students. Since only part of the personnel costs have been reimbursed so far, it is good that the coalition also wants to support the school authorities with the maintenance and any renovation of buildings.
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