February 24, 2010

GENEVA – The General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko has expressed deep regret at the resignation of Dr Margot Kaessmann from the office of bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover and chairperson of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) Council.

In a statement issued today, Noko says his "thoughts and prayers go to the person – Margot Kaessmann herself and to her family. I pray also for the faithful in the Hanover church congregations, the staff and governing bodies of the Hanover church, as well as of the EKD."

Kaessmann announced her resignation at a press conference in Hanover today. Her announcement came a few days after she was apprehended for a traffic offense while driving under the influence of alcohol.

In an earlier statement, the 14-member EKD Council had expressed support for Kaessmann. They said she had their undivided confidence to make a decision over the path that would then be pursued together.

In his statement, Noko praises Kaessmann for her "invaluable contributions to the work of the LWF and to the wider ecumenical circle not only in Germany but globally." He cites her October 2009 installation as EKD Council chairperson as an occasion that he took to "affirm the crucial role she plays as ‘a provocative public spokesperson' for the Christian faith in her own society and around the world."

The LWF general secretary expresses his prayer that Kaessmann's apology to the institutions and the people she served would "find acceptance as she continues to be a pastor in the Hanover church and as she ministers the means of grace to God's people.

"I pray that she will find strength in the community of the church in her next steps," Noko adds.

Kaessmann has served as bishop of the Hanover church since 1999. Upon her 28 October 2009 election as EKD Council chairperson, she became the first woman to lead the umbrella body of German Protestant churches.

The full text of Dr Noko's statement follows:

Statement by Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, LWF General Secretary on the Resignation of Hanover Bishop Dr Margot Kässmann

It is with deep regret that I have learned today that Bishop Dr Margot Kaessmann has resigned from her position as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover and as chairperson of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) Council.

My thoughts and prayers go to the person – Margot Kaessmann herself and to her family. I pray also for the faithful in the Hanover church congregations, the staff and governing bodies of the Hanover church, as well as the EKD.

As a church leader, Kaessmann has made invaluable contributions to the work of the LWF and to the wider ecumenical circle not only in Germany but globally. Her October 2009 installation as EKD Council chairperson was an occasion for me to affirm the crucial role she plays as "a provocative public spokesperson" for the Christian faith in her own society and around the world.

I recall vividly her keynote address at the 2003 LWF Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada, during which she emphasized the biblical vision of the hope that we the people of God are called to give for the world. She expressed the strong need to continue with the struggle "to trace the contours of an alternative society in the here and now, a society that does not follow the law of the strongest, of power and assertiveness, but practices solidarity, loves justice, makes peace, and safeguards creation."

Kaessmann has publicly asked the institutions and the people she served for forgiveness. I pray that her apology will find acceptance as she continues to be a pastor in the Hanover church and as she ministers the means of grace to God's people.

I pray that she will find strength in the community of the church in her next steps.

Geneva
24 February 2010

Lutheran World Information