The nationalism known as völkisch is incompatible with the Christian image of God and man, says a joint statement presented by Bishop Georg Batzing, president of the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) in Augsburg, in the federal state of Bavaria.

The statement comes amid widespread concern in the country where far-right political forces, specifically the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, are gaining support.

The statement reviewed by the national press adds that parties of this trend and those that move outside this ideology cannot be a place of political activity for Christians and are not eligible either.

The statement also underlines that participating in far-right politics, and in particular any form of racism or anti-Semitism, is incompatible with employment or volunteering in the Catholic Church.

We call on our fellow citizens, including those who do not share our faith, to reject and repudiate far-right politics. Anyone who wants to live in a free and democratic society cannot find a home in these ideas, the text expresses.

Batzing added that it is imperative that the Catholic Church takes a clear stance, given the rise of the AfD on the eve of regional elections in several eastern states of the country.

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