Rising Tensions Between Political Parties and Religious Institutions in Germany

The relationship between Germany's political parties, particularly the Union parties, and religious institutions is facing increasing strain, particularly over issues such as asylum policy. This friction is indicative of a broader trend of secularization within these parties and a growing disillusionment with politics among church leaders.

As the CDU convenes its federal party congress, the event traditionally opens with a church service, which this year will be led by representatives from the Evangelical Church in Germany and the German Bishops' Conference. These church leaders recently sent a letter to Members of Parliament expressing their strong opposition to the migration policies proposed by Friedrich Merz, denouncing them as unlawful and potentially harmful. This prompted a swift rebuttal from Union party officials, who dismissed the letter as akin to a statement from a secular NGO and expressed indifference to its contents.

This exchange highlights a long-standing alienation between the Union parties and the churches. Following the CDU's electoral defeat in 2021, discussions arose about distancing the party from its Christian roots. Consequently, a clear reference to God was only added to the party's new foundational program after significant negotiation in 2024.

The Christian faith has historically served as a unifying force within the Union parties, binding together conservative, economically liberal, and labor-oriented factions for decades. The commitment to the Christian identity helped to temper nationalist sentiments that had previously led to significant turmoil in Germany. This approach not only benefited the CDU and CSU but also contributed to the stability of the Federal Republic, a fact increasingly recognized even by leftist parties.

However, the foundations of this coalition are deteriorating. The influence of Christianity on societal values and individual behavior is waning, and fewer young politicians within the Union parties have ties to church youth programs. Furthermore, elements of populism from the political right are infiltrating parts of the party, particularly in eastern Germany, where this internal secularization coincides with a rise in coarse political rhetoric and a detachment from civic engagement.

The churches themselves have also played a significant role in this growing divide. Their positions on migration over the past decade have largely aimed to maintain the policies of Angela Merkel's administration from late 2015. Attempts to modify these policies have often been met with moral condemnation from church leaders. Warnings about the potential impacts of these policies on European unity and the broader political landscape have frequently been ignored.

This situation reflects a subtle disdain for political engagement among church leaders, who tend to articulate their moral positions in legalistic terms while distancing themselves from the consequences of the policies they support. Union politicians who wish to uphold the 'C' in their party's name find themselves in a challenging position, needing to navigate electoral pressures while maintaining their Christian identity. As a result, the ideological framework that previously bound these entities is being stretched, allowing more extreme factions within the party to assert themselves.

The alienation between the Union parties and the churches can also be understood on a more fundamental level. Across Europe, and similarly in North America, many churches have redefined Christianity as an ethical project, often at the expense of traditional social structures, as seen in evolving definitions of family. Although this shift was supported by theological reasoning and societal trends, it has now given way to a resurgence of cultural interpretations of religion that emphasize traditional values and identities.

The recent controversy surrounding Markus Söder's decree regarding religious symbols, which faced church opposition, exemplifies this shift in Germany. In debates over migration policy, these cultural narratives play a significant role, yet church leaders remain resistant to these trends, hoping for a future with a multi-religious society.

To address this growing divide, churches might consider embracing a more nuanced approach that reconciles ethical standards with the need for identity. This could help foster a more constructive relationship with the Union parties, preventing further deterioration before it becomes too late.