German Protestant Church forbids parishioners from joining pro-life rally

The parishioners of the Protestant Church of Germany (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland or EKD) are being discouraged from joining the "March for Life" protest in Berlin. Catholics, evangelicals and other pro-life protesters are scheduled to meet in front of the Reichstag on Sept. 17.

EKD spokesman Christoph Heil said the Church discourages its members to join the protest due to "differences of opinion" and the "aggressive manner" of the protestors.

Martin Lohmann, president of the Federal Association for the Right to Life, expressed his disbelief regarding the decision of the Church.

"You cannot believe your eyes and just don't want to believe it: representatives of the Protestant Church in Berlin-Brandenburg set themselves against the protection of life and pursue evidently left-wing hate slogans," Lohmann told Life Site.

"Has the Church in the German capital really said goodbye to the Word of God? Does she only want to be in the socio-political mainstream? Does she really wave a 'bye-bye' Jesus to the Son of God?" he asked.

Hartmut Steeb, chairman of Christian Pro-Life groups, was also disappointed by EKD's decision. "Human life is under the protection of God from beginning and a church cannot stand for anything but a definitive 'yes' to the child," he said.

The EKD had also advised its members against joining the march in 2014. About 7,000 Christians from different denominations participated in the protest last year. The pro-life protesters are mostly composed of families, children and senior citizens.

Those who participate in the march have to face pro-abortion activists and left-wing extremists every year. About 1,000 police officers were deployed last year to protect the pro-life protesters. Pro-abortion activists had previously attempted to block the march by sitting on the street.

Lohmann challenged Protestant Bishop Markus Dröge to explain his arguments for discouraging pro-life Christians from participating at the event. He also demanded an apology from the EKD for the insults to the pro-life protesters.

People from 36 cities across Germany are expected to join the march this year. Aside from campaigning against abortion, the March for Life also aims to highlight the increasing acceptance of euthanasia in Europe.