The Diocese of Fulda has publicly rejected remarks by a retired priest who called the July 25 Berlin CSD attack a "sign from heaven," saying such an interpretation is unacceptable and does not reflect diocesan leadership. The diocese reiterated that every person has inalienable dignity regardless of sexual orientation and expressed sympathy for victims and their families. The Fuldaer Zeitung editor also condemned the letter as crossing a line. Authorities say the attack left one woman dead and 31 injured; the suspect was shot dead by police the next day.
Diocese of Fulda Slams Retired Priest Who Called Berlin Pride Attack a 'Sign From Heaven'
Messages of condolence and sympathy have been left in front of the Brandenburg Gate in memory of the victims of the attack during the CSD. In the Tiergarten, on the sidelines of Christopher Street Day, a man drove a vehicle into a crowd of people. (is associated with: «Diocese rejects priest's claim Berlin attack was 'sign from heaven'») Christoph Soeder/dpa
The German Catholic Diocese of Fulda has publicly distanced itself from homophobic remarks published by a retired priest who described the July 25 attack on Berlin's Christopher Street Day (CSD) as a "sign from heaven." In a formal statement, the diocese said the comments do not reflect the position or views of its leadership.
Diocese Response
In its statement the diocese said:
"In particular, we firmly reject any interpretation of a terrorist attack as an expression of divine action."It expressed sympathy for the victims and their families and reiterated the Church's commitment to human dignity: "As a Church, we believe that every person is made in the image of God and possesses an inalienable dignity. This gives rise to the duty to treat all people with respect, consideration and neighbourly love - regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."
Newspaper Editor Condemns Letter
Tobias Farnung, editor-in-chief of the Fuldaer Zeitung, also strongly rejected the retired priest's letter in a comment piece. He wrote that while readers may disagree with CSD as an event, describing a violent terrorist attack in which people were attacked, injured and killed as a "sign from heaven" "crosses a line" and retroactively strips victims of their dignity.
What the Retired Priest Wrote
The retired priest, writing to the local Fuldaer Zeitung, described the CSD as a "parade of shamelessness" and a "publicly displayed glorification of perversion." He argued that Christians should "understand such atrocities as a sign from heaven, as a call to reflection and repentance." The letter also condemned the alleged Islamist attacker’s brutality, saying that the terrorists' crimes are unjustifiable and must be stopped.
Attack Details
German authorities say the attacker, identified as Abdul B, drove a car into the crowd at the CSD event on July 25 and allegedly attacked others with a machete. A woman from Poland died and 31 people were wounded. The 21-year-old suspect was shot dead by police during an attempt to arrest him the following day.
The Diocese of Fulda emphasized its support for the aims of CSD in drawing attention to the dignity of all people and opposing exclusion and violence, and it called for peaceful, respectful civic engagement in an open society.
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