(ZENIT News / Augsburg, 02.21.2024).- The Catholic Church in Germany is facing the post-Covid reality, where the need for comprehensive adaptation becomes evident. Despite the challenges, altar servers continue to be a vital part of the religious community, as expressed by Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Wübbe of Osnabrück during the recent general assembly of bishops in Augsburg (February 19th to 22nd).
Wübbe pointed out that, despite the abuse scandal in the German Catholic Church, he has not noticed a significant negative impact on the number of altar servers in his diocese. This observation contrasts with the overall decrease in the number of altar servers since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, although this trend is not attributed to the abuse scandal, but to other factors.
Tobias Knell, Secretary General of the International Federation of Altar Servers, highlighted that preventive measures against sexual abuse in the work of altar servers have been implemented for years. Despite the challenges posed by this issue, the willingness of children and young people to participate as volunteers in the religious services of their communities remains strong.
Knell announced that around 35,000 children and young people from Germany intend to participate in the upcoming international pilgrimage of altar servers in Rome, scheduled from July 29th to August 3rd. This figure reflects a continued interest and commitment from Catholic youth, with over 10,000 names on waiting lists and a majority of participants coming from southern Germany, along with the expectation of the arrival of another 15,000 young people from different European countries.
Preventing abuse during large Church events with young people is a significant concern, and Knell explained that this responsibility lies with the dioceses registering the participants. Each diocese has implemented similar concepts to prevent sexual abuse of minors, highlighting the Church’s commitment in this regard.
However, accommodation capacity in Rome presents a logistical challenge, as over 200 hotels and pilgrim houses have closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, which could affect the number of registrations this year compared to previous years.
In conclusion, although the Catholic Church faces significant challenges in the post-Covid context, the commitment of altar servers and the continued response of Catholic youth reflect a vibrant and dynamic aspect of the religious community in Germany and beyond.
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