Archbishop Koch Urges Berliners to Vote for Democracy and Hope in Upcoming Elections
Berlin, September 19 – Archbishop Heiner Koch of Berlin has issued a strong appeal to citizens to cast their votes in the state elections taking place this Sunday, September 20th, in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In his message, titled “Word of the Bishop,” released on September 18th as an audio and text on the archdiocese’s website, Koch emphasized that every vote counts.
“Tomorrow you have the opportunity to make a statement: for democracy, for cohesion, for charity. And for the conviction that our society is only strong when no one is overlooked,” stated Archbishop Koch, highlighting the profound impact of individual participation in the democratic process.
Democracy: Not a Self-Runner
This call to action follows a similar sentiment expressed earlier in the week. On September 15th, the International Day of Democracy, Archbishop Stephan Burger of Freiburg also urged for the preservation of democracy in Germany, stating that democracy is “not a self-runner.”
Archbishop Koch reiterated this sentiment, encouraging citizens to vote not merely out of a sense of duty, but out of hope. “Go and vote. Not just out of a sense of duty, but out of hope. Out of the hope that together we can shape a future where people stand up for each other. And let us keep in mind: before God, every person is great and significant. And therefore, we should also see each other as great and significant,” he explained, underscoring the spiritual dimension of civic engagement.
Elections: The Heart of Democracy
Archbishop Koch described elections as “the heart of democracy,” asserting that they represent more than just “a cross on a ballot paper.” He stressed that elections are an expression of the belief that “each and every individual counts. That every voice carries weight. That we bear responsibility for each other.”
Acknowledging the current climate of uncertainty and disillusionment among many citizens regarding politics, Koch addressed the prevailing concerns about the future and feelings of being overlooked or not taken seriously. “Frustration is there. And it deserves to be heard. And, before we judge, we should listen. Before we categorize each other, we should want to understand each other,” he urged. However, he also firmly stated, “Frustration alone must not have the last word.”
He emphasized that democracy thrives not on resignation but on participation. “It thrives on people raising their voices, expressing their opinions, and taking responsibility. As a Christian, I believe: Every person is unique. Every person is willed by God. Every person carries dignity within them, regardless of origin, age, income, or political conviction. No one is unimportant. No one is superfluous.”
Elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
On Sunday, both the House of Representatives in Berlin and the State Parliament in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will be newly elected. The Catholic communities in Vorpommern, the eastern part of the federal state bordering Poland, are also part of the Archdiocese of Berlin.
Archbishop Heiner Koch concluded his message by reminding the faithful that in the elections on Sunday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the people alone decide “who they give their vote to and which path these federal states should take.”
The full “Word of the Bishop” with Archbishop Heiner Koch is available on the website of the Archdiocese of Berlin.
Source: Archdiocese of Berlin
