Federation of German Catholic Youth attack "March for Life"

This year, the controversial "March for Life" will take place in two cities for the first time, in addition to Berlin, also in Cologne. The BDKJ of the Archdiocese is now calling on people not to take part in the demonstration - and cites serious reasons.

Not controversial for Catholics

The Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ) in the Archdiocese of Cologne has called for people not to take part in the "March for Life" in the cathedral city. "There is no clear demarcation between the organisers and the right-wing milieu," the BDKJ said in a press release on Thursday. Right-wing extremist activists and parties had called for participation in the pro-life demonstration several times in the past, including this year. "We observe anti-democratic and anti-human attitudes among so-called Christian fundamentalists," said the Catholic youth umbrella organisation. It is unacceptable that Christians walk side by side with right-wing extremists on the streets or work together. The "March for Life" will take place on Saturday (16 September). This year, for the first time, the demonstration will be held in two cities - Berlin and Cologne - at the same time.

The "March for Life" uses misogynist rhetoric, the BDKJ statement continues. "Calling women who have had an abortion murderers has nothing to do with Christian charity." Unwanted pregnancies were existential conflict situations in which women needed support rather than paternalism. According to its own information, the BDKJ represents about 50,000 young people in the Archdiocese of Cologne.

The March for Life took place in Berlin for the first time in 2002 and has been held annually since 2008. It goes back to the US "March for Life" and originally had the motto "1,000 crosses for life". The event has regularly been controversial in the past because of the participation of right-wing demonstrators. German Bishops have also taken part in the march in recent years, most recently Archbishop Heiner Koch of Berlin, Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg and Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Maria Renz of Rottenburg.

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