St. Kamillus Church in Berlin: A Controversial Profanation and Sale
Berlin, Germany – The bells of St. Kamillus Church in Berlin-Charlottenburg have fallen silent, not in quiet reverence, but amidst a storm of controversy. On December 26th, the Feast of St. Stephen, the church was officially profaned by a decree from Archbishop Heiner Koch, a decision that, along with the planned sale of the property by the Kamillianer Order, has ignited significant anger within the community. While the Archdiocese of Berlin defends its actions by citing adequate pastoral provisions in surrounding parishes, a determined lay initiative and the Catholic Entrepreneurs’ Association (BKU) are vocally condemning the opaque proceedings and the perceived strategic blunder of relinquishing such a vital church location.
The Decree and the Order’s Retreat
The formal profanation ceremony, which included the reading of the decree, was led by Vicar General Father Manfred Kollig SSCC. The property, situated opposite Charlottenburg Palace, is owned by the German Province of the Kamillianer, an order facing a significant decline in membership. According to the Archdiocese of Berlin, the order’s desire to dissolve an existing hereditary building right agreement was the primary driver behind the decision to sell. The archdiocese reportedly assented to this request. Cologne-based company ProSecur has been tasked with marketing the property, and as CNA Deutsch previously reported, confirmed advanced negotiations with a potential buyer as early as June of last year.
Archdiocese’s Stance: “Painful but Sufficient”
In response to inquiries from CNA Deutsch, the Archdiocese of Berlin acknowledged the closure as “painful.” However, press spokesperson Stefan Förner emphasized that the “Martyrs of Berlin parish has three places of worship: the Memorial Church for the Victims of National Socialism, Maria Regina Martyrum, the parish church Herz Jesu, and the Church of St. Thomas Aquinas, in addition to numerous vibrant places of church life such as schools, Caritas facilities, etc.” Förner concluded, “The Martyrs’ parish is therefore sufficiently well-equipped, despite the closure, to ensure a vibrant community life in the future.”
Community Backlash: “Betrayal of the People and of Christ”
Despite the archdiocese’s assurances, members of the community and the “Pro St. Kamillus” initiative accuse those responsible of a severe lack of transparency. Jan-Philipp Görtz, co-initiator of the initiative, specifically criticized the timing of the profanation on the second day of Christmas as “inexplicable.” Görtz passionately argued that abandoning central locations is a “betrayal of the people and of Christ.” He stressed the imperative for the Church to maintain physical spaces in strategic locations, rather than relying on outdated prognoses. The initiative has proposed a counter-concept, the “Eucharistic Campus Erich Klausener,” which aims to integrate the preservation of the sacred space with social and economic uses.
BKU’s Support: “Gospel, Not Economic Efficiency”
Michael Schiessl, another co-initiator, articulated the lay community’s desire to contribute to the preservation of “meaningful” places, lamenting that the current time pressure in the sales process is unconstructive. The initiative has garnered crucial support from the Catholic Entrepreneurs’ Association. Richard Schütze, chairman of the Berlin-Brandenburg diocesan group, sharply criticized what he perceives as a purely economic rationale: “The standard is the Gospel – not economic efficiency targets, no church tax estimates and subsequent austerity programs.” Schütze underscored the social obligation inherent in church property and expressed dismay that Catholic entrepreneurs with real estate expertise were not involved earlier in the process.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Protest
Despite the profanation, the sale of the property has not yet been finalized, according to the initiative. The Polish Kamillianer residing in the complex are currently permitted to remain there. Meanwhile, a petition advocating for the preservation of the site has garnered over 500 signatures. A press inquiry from CNA Deutsch to the German Province of the Kamillianer has, to date, remained unanswered.
The controversy surrounding St. Kamillus Church highlights a broader tension within the Catholic Church in Germany – the struggle between maintaining physical presence in a changing society and managing dwindling resources. The community’s fervent protest underscores the deep emotional and spiritual attachment to their local church and their determination to fight for its future, even after its official profanation.
