Leader of German Catholic Youth demands Revolution now!
"We urgently need a change"
What is the state of Catholic youth in Germany? The old and new BDKJ president Gregor Podschun puts his finger in the wound. He sees the youth basically on the right track, but several building sites remain.
DOMRADIO.DE: At the general meeting of the BDKJ, you were confirmed in office for another three years with a large majority. Your re-election did not come as a complete surprise, did it?
Gregor Podschun (Chairman of the Federation of German Catholic Youth / BDKJ): I have always felt great support in the federation. Therefore, the re-election was not very surprising. However, the fact that it is such an outstanding result leaves me speechless and gives me very great support. I am very grateful for that.
Gregor Podschun, BDKJ Chairperson
"I believe that in order to do justice to the Gospel again, we urgently need a change in this Church, to create a Church that is fit for people and fit for the Gospel."
DOMRADIO.DE: Where specifically do you think the Church needs to change?
Podschun: We notice very strongly that the church is no longer a popular church and that people are leaving the church. And we have to look at where that comes from. I believe it is because we recognise that the church unfortunately also causes violence and suffering - not only to those affected by sexualised violence, but also to people who are, for example, homosexual or LGBTQI persons.
I believe that in order to do justice to the Gospel again, we urgently need a change in this church to create a church that is fit for people and fit for the Gospel.
DOMRADIO.DE: Do all the delegates share these ideas?
Podschun: My re-election definitely shows that there is a lot of support for this. We passed a unanimous resolution calling for more courage for synodality and also evaluating the synodal way.
I believe that there is a great deal of support in the Federation for precisely this change. It also strengthens me in what I do and in my work that all the delegates say that what I put forward there in the Synodal Way is the right way for young people.
DOMRADIO.DE: You were also present at the synodal meetings. Is the process of coming to terms with sexualised violence in the Church progressing?
Gregor Podschun, BDKJ Chairman.
"I believe that we have to stay on this topic and continue to demand this in the sense of those affected by sexualised violence."
Podschun: This must be evaluated in a differentiated way. On the one hand, I do believe that the Synodal Way has achieved successes, has passed important resolutions and has also made many power structures in this Catholic Church visible.
At the same time, however, the systemic risk factors of sexualised violence have not been sufficiently addressed. As youth associations, we already ask ourselves the question: What does it mean that we have a MAG study that shows us this, but it is not sufficiently dealt with and these risk factors are not sufficiently eliminated?
We are disappointed by that. I believe that we have to stay on this issue and continue to demand this for the sake of those affected by sexualised violence.
DOMRADIO.DE: On Saturday evening, the registration for the BDKJ social action "72 Hours - Heaven sends us" was started. It starts next year in April. What will happen there?
Gregor Podschun, BDKJ Chairman
"The 72-hour action also makes it visible that being a Christian does not only mean being pious and adopting texts in the Synodal Way, but actually taking action and tackling things and being there for other people. "
Podschun: On the one hand, the 72-hour campaign makes visible in 72 hours what youth associations already do every day. But it also shows that being a Christian does not just mean being pious and adopting texts in the Synodal Way, but actually taking action, getting involved and being there for other people.
160,000 children and young people did this in the last 72-hour campaign and we are very much looking forward to children and young people taking action for others again and to the 72-hour campaign taking place nationwide for the third time.
DOMRADIO.DE: As Federal Chairman, do you still feel that you can make a difference?
Podschun: I am a bit active on a different level. My job is more lobbying. But there too, of course, we notice an effectiveness, that what we do and what we bring up in the various committees and groups in which we are active does something for children and young people. That we can be there to create framework conditions in which children and young people can live in a self-determined way.
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