EWTN linked to right-wing extremism in the German mind

EWTN and the AfD – Cherry-picking from a misanthropic ideology

Some Catholic media outlets view warnings about the AfD with skepticism. Andreas Püttmann argues against cherry-picking ostensibly Christian elements from a *völkisch*-nationalist ideology.

Yesterday, Steffen Zimmermann acknowledged the efforts of Catholics in the Diocese of Magdeburg to uphold human dignity, charity, and democracy in the run-up to the state election. Bishop Gerhard Feige laments that they are being "ridiculed," verbally abused, and "pressured" by the AfD for their resistance against the coarsening of public discourse; the "intensity" of these attacks reminds him of the era of dictatorship. All believers in Germany are called upon to stand against such attempts at intimidation and to support the "little flock" (Luke 12:32) of Catholics in Saxony-Anhalt—to "amplify their voice" (Zimmermann)—in accordance with the image of the Body, in which "all the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it" (1 Cor 12:25f).

EWTN.de, however, preferred to characterize the bishop’s statements regarding the AfD as "extremely harsh" and to insinuate something akin to an obsession ("speaking out against the AfD repeatedly for months and years," "with particular vehemence"). Feige merely "claimed" that the AfD was attempting to "verbally bludgeon" the Church. Passages from the AfD’s election manifesto are juxtaposed with quotes from the bishop—presumably to create the impression that Feige is scolding the wrong people. The party, it is argued, holds "a number of positions that were supported quite generally by church representatives even under Pope Benedict XVI—including the protection of unborn life and the promotion of the family, consisting of husband, wife, and children."

Quite apart from the dig at Benedict’s successor—effectively disparaging him as less reliable on these issues—everyone in Germany should have grasped since 1945 that it is inappropriate to "cherry-pick" specific, ostensibly worthy goals from a party classified by the state domestic intelligence agency as "confirmed right-wing extremist." Seeking out and selectively highlighting elements of a *völkisch*, misanthropic ideology that happen to be correct is obscene. From a papal perspective, the protection of life is an integral principle that cannot be reduced to just one or two issues. Moreover, expert analyses by Catholic social ethicists have exposed the AfD’s apparent alignment with Church teaching as a sham. If faith, reason, and morality belong together, then the authors associated with that ostentatiously Catholic broadcaster have failed the litmus test.

Source