German Catholic youth rise up in resistance to Bishop Barron

BDKJ criticises planned Josef Pieper Prize ceremony

The Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ) Diocese of Münster criticises the awarding of the Josef Pieper Prize by the Josef Pieper Foundation to US Bishop Dr. Robert Barron, scheduled for July 27, 2025.

The BDKJ Diocesan Board criticises the fact that Robert Barron also represents positions that the BDKJ criticises in its self-image for democratic values. In a statement, Barron praised US President Donald Trump's order banning gender reassignment surgery for minors. As part of his evangelization work on social media, Barron repeatedly promotes an image of political and religious extremism, which the BDKJ does not support in its Christian-Catholic self-image.

For adolescents and young adults, digital media is a central platform for shaping opinions. From the perspective of the BDKJ, Bishop Barron uses his platform and media reach not only to preach Christian doctrine, but also to disseminate information whose veracity is questionable. Some of his statements and declarations do not correspond to the understanding of fundamental Christian values ​​and the democratic value of unconditional equality for all people, as advocated by the BDKJ.

The award ceremony will be accompanied by a symposium at the Franz Hitze House Academy and will take place after a Pontifical mass in the Überwasser Church at the Borromaeum Seminary. The BDKJ Diocesan Board questions the three venues for the award ceremony and finds the approval of each of the chosen locations questionable. The BDKJ expects all institutions to engage in a critical and reflective discussion with the individuals who are the award winners of an event and who are being given a platform.

Contradiction to a fundamental democratic attitude

With the democracy campaign "Mensch Münster! Leben Freiheit" (People Münster! Live Freedom), the BDKJ demonstrates that we need people who defend democracy and, out of a Christian mandate, advocate for charity, diversity, and tolerance for a just, open society. The BDKJ Diocesan Board further criticises Barron for actively opposing the promotion of diversity in gender identities in society and restricting this diversity through his public statements and political ties to Donald Trump. From the BDKJ's perspective, this behavior contradicts Paul's admonition: "for you are all one in Christ Jesus" – in all differences and similarities.

In the spring of 2025, the BDKJ Diocese of Münster and its member associations clearly declared their support for a diverse and democratic society and against any form of group-based misanthropy through their resolution "Out of Christian Conviction for Democracy." Accordingly, Christians cannot remain silent in the face of right-wing extremist and right-wing populist ideology. The BDKJ demands that Robert Barron, the Josef Pieper Foundation, and individuals in church leadership positions clearly commit to Christian and democratic values. Proximity to right-wing populist and extremist groups and individuals should not be rewarded, but criticized.

Break with Pieper's philosophy

In addition to his episcopal office , Robert Barron is active as a university professor and is considered an expert on the works of the Münster philosopher Josef Pieper (1904–1997). According to the Josef Pieper Foundation, the prize is intended to honor those who bring Pieper's works into the discourse for contemporary (religious) philosophical and social issues.

In the eyes of the BDKJ diocesan board, Barron continues Pieper's teachings in a scholarly manner in his teaching activities. However, at the same time, he breaks with Pieper's philosophy through statements about restricting the freedoms of certain groups of people. For the Catholic youth organizations, this creates an incompatibility between the award and the nomination. Josef Pieper, as a person, represents the concept of human freedom. In the opinion of the BDKJ, his understanding of this concept is incompatible with Bishop Barron's public conduct.

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