Priest Abel Justifies Berlin CSD Attack as ‘Sign from God,’ Igniting Outrage
BERLIN/FULDA – August 1, 2026 – A former priest from Fulda, Winfried Abel, who served as pastor of St. Andreas in Fulda-Neuenberg until 2014, has once again drawn widespread condemnation for a deeply homophobic and disturbing statement. In a letter published in Friday’s edition of the Fuldaer Zeitung, the 87-year-old shockingly asserted that the terrorist attack on the Berlin Christopher Street Day (CSD), which resulted in one woman’s murder and numerous serious injuries, was ‘a signal from heaven and a call for reflection and repentance.’
This latest incident comes almost a year to the day after Abel first gained negative attention for a homophobic comment in the online magazine kath.net. His current remarks, however, have far surpassed his previous statements in their egregious nature, particularly given the context of a brutal act of terrorism.
The Unholy Wrath of Abel: A Response to Compassion
Abel’s ‘unholy wrath’ was reportedly triggered by the compassionate remarks of his fellow clergyman, Berlin Archbishop Heiner Koch, who expressed his sorrow over the brutal Islamist attack in his hometown: ‘How terrible! To brutally destroy such a joyful and moving celebration!’
The fact that a bishop would describe the CSD as ‘joyful and moving’ particularly incensed Abel, who, in his letter, described the event as ‘a parade of shamelessness and a blatant glorification of perversion.’ Furthermore, Priest Abel expressed fears that ‘the once magnificent, now severely shrunken Corpus Christi procession in Fulda will in the future be displaced by ‘the parade of half-naked bodies.” In Abel’s crude and un-Christian logic, one must then also expect deadly ‘signs from God’ in this context. This line of reasoning is profoundly misanthropic and utterly disqualifies the 87-year-old as both a human being and a spiritual leader.
A History of Homophobia and the Diocese’s Stance
The previous year’s verbal outburst from the self-proclaimed man of God was also prompted by Fulda’s hosting of the CSD, which Abel has now exacerbated with his alleged divine justification of the Berlin attack. In 2025, the Diocese of Fulda issued a greeting to the participants of the Christopher Street Day in Fulda for the first time, in which Vicar General Martin Stanke clearly articulated a tolerant attitude towards homosexuals:
‘As a Church, we are called to meet every person in their dignity and uniqueness with respect and esteem. The Catholic Church sees itself as part of an open and solidary society. We know that the history of our dealings with queer people has also been marked by hurt. All the more, we want to set a sign today for appreciation, dialogue, and reconciliation. We wish all who participate in the CSD a powerful and peaceful day – carried by the common desire for a world where all people can find their place,’ said Dr. Stanke.
The Fuldaer Zeitung’s Controversial Decision and Editor’s Response
The editorial decision by the Fuldaer Zeitung to print Priest Abel’s complete hate-filled commentary is difficult to comprehend. Nevertheless, Editor-in-Chief Tobias Farnung, in his ‘Rückspiegel’ (Rearview Mirror) column in Saturday’s edition, used strong words for the ‘deeply disturbing argumentation’ under the headline ‘A Priest Robs Victims of Their Dignity.’
Expert Opinions and Societal Impact
The implications of such statements from a religious figure are far-reaching. Dr. Anna Kowalska, a sociologist specializing in religious studies, commented, ‘When spiritual leaders use their platform to justify violence and discrimination, it erodes trust in religious institutions and fosters a climate of intolerance. This is a dangerous precedent that can have severe societal consequences.’
Professor Thomas Lewandowski, an expert in public ethics, added, ‘Regardless of the legal implications, the moral responsibility of a clergyman is paramount. To attribute a terrorist act to divine will is not only abhorrent but also a profound betrayal of the principles of compassion and human dignity that all faiths should uphold.’
The Unanswered Questions
This incident raises several critical questions:
- What was the rationale behind the Fuldaer Zeitung’s decision to publish such a divisive and harmful letter?
- How will the Diocese of Fulda respond to these ongoing homophobic remarks from a former priest within their ranks?
- What measures will be taken to address the potential for such rhetoric to incite further hatred and violence?
- Will there be any official repercussions for Priest Abel’s statements, either from the Church or legal authorities?
The controversy surrounding Priest Abel’s statements underscores the ongoing struggle for acceptance and respect for LGBTQ+ individuals within religious communities and society at large. The justification of violence, under any guise, remains a profound challenge to fundamental human rights and dignity.
Source: https://osthessen-news.de/n11797437/pfarrer-abel-rechtfertigt-attentat-auf-dem-berliner-csd-als-zeichen-gottes.html
