German bishops express burning concern over rise of AfD

Church leaders are making a stand against the 'Rechtsruck,' or rightward drift in German politics. But can they make a difference?

On a snowy Saturday in January, German bishops’ conference chairman Bishop Georg Bätzing joined protesters at a demonstration near his residence in Limburg, in the central state of Hesse. 

Bishop Georg Bätzing attends a Jan. 20, 2024, demonstration against racism, fascism, and the AfD in Limburg, Germany. © S.Schnelle/Bistum Limburg. 

Bätzing was one of t…