Friendly communicator instead of church prince

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Friendly communicator instead of church prince

Bishop Georg Batzing © Harald Oppitz (KNA)

As successor to Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, Bishop Georg Batzing did not have it easy. But he established a new style in the diocese of Limburg. Now Batzing is also at the head of the German Bishops' Conference.

When Limburg Bishop Georg Batzing (58) succeeded Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, who resigned in 2014, in September 2016, he faced a Herculean task. Limburg bishop's residence had made negative headlines for years. This was preceded by the scandal over the concealment of the cost of Tebartz-van Elst's official residence and residence, which cost around 31 million euros. Many also felt that his entire leadership was authoritarian and questioned the church system.

And at that time it was clear to Batzing: "Going to Limburg as a bishop is currently quite different from going somewhere else." He knew he would have to win back trust first. "The bishop is not a prince and monarch who does not need to listen to anyone," Batzing said. His new, communicative style was well received in the diocese – and apparently beyond: On Tuesday in Mainz, he was elected as the new president of the German Bishops' Conference as successor to Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx.

Batzing considers dialogue essential

Batzing knew from the start that the headline-grabbing bishop's residence on Cathedral Hill did not suit him. At the same time, it was clear to him: "I can't get my head around this thing."It became his official residence, but he lives in a detached house built in the 1950s that belongs to the diocese.

Batzing considers dialogue essential to leading a diocese: "I can make decisions, but I like to communalize consultation there." He has retained his composure and inner peace. One can hardly imagine Georg Batzing, who formulates his words carefully and in a way that is fit to print, as being quick-tempered. He approaches people with a friendly, engaging demeanor. He is far removed from "church talk", even though he holds a doctorate in theology.

Batzing grew up in Niederfischbach in the Westerwald region of Germany. In 1987 he was ordained a priest in Trier. From 1996 to 2010, as director of the seminary, he was responsible for priestly formation in the diocese of Trier. From November 2012, he then led the diocese of Trier in the area of administration as vicar general. There he also gained experience in getting through conflicts.

As bishop of Limburg, Batzing announced in April 2019 that he wanted an external investigation to "clarify as best as possible" suspected cases of abuse and acts by clerics over the past 70 years. Identified perpetrators and those "responsible for covering up acts" in the diocese should be named and could be held accountable. In November 2019, the diocese itself announced that a sexual abuse case dating back some 30 years had been "covered up". The case was disclosed in detail.

Clearly positioned in reform debate

Batzing has also taken a clear position in the debate on reforms. He can well imagine an abolition of compulsory celibacy. "I don't think it harms the church if priests are free to choose whether they want to live marriage or live celibate," he said in an interview. At the same time, however, it was important to "save" celibacy as a way of life, the bishop added: "Celibacy is worth a lot to me. Because this is how Jesus lived."

Batzing is critical of the current exclusion of women from Catholic ordination offices – i.e. deacon, priest, bishop. He said on New Year's Eve that as a bishop he had to "take seriously that the exclusion of women from ordained ministry is perceived as fundamentally unjust and inappropriate in a social environment that has long placed women and men on an equal footing in terms of their rights.

Batzing massively defended the Catholic reform dialogue of the Synodal Way against critics. He was the host bishop at the first synodal assembly in Frankfurt. Batzing was also elected as one of the chairpersons at the synodal forum "Living in Successful Relationships – Living Love in Sexuality and Partnership.

"The decision to go the synodal route was not a long-prepared 'revolt' by liberal forces with the aim of finally pushing through long-desired changes," the bishop said. The reform-minded forces also did not want a split from the worldwide Catholic Church. To divide, that would be against Batzing's nature. His episcopal motto is "Congrega in unum.". And that means: Bring together.

Only since 1993 there has been the legal obligation, children up to a certain age or size may only be transported in a car in an appropriate child seat. the child car seat test has shown that the use of such a seat reduces the road safety also increases significantly for the youngest.

A suitable child seat should therefore not only be used for legal reasons, but above all for the safety of your own child.

Who tests the child seats?

From foundation warentest and from the ADAC there are constantly new test reports, which give information about the individual child car seat test give. Since safety and handling of the seat play a major role, you should look at the various child car seats in the test and read the test reports carefully before buying. The child car seats in the test are generally checked and evaluated according to various criteria, such as safety, handling, ergonomics and workmanship.

From the child seats foundation warentest were tested this year again 33 child seats from the different manufacturers (for example roman, stork mill, united kids and chicco) under the magnifying glass and according to the test results, 17 of the child seats in the test could be rated as "good.

In the group of child seats for newborns up to 13 kilograms, the cybex aton 2 was the test winner and therefore scored particularly well in the child car seat test.
Also the child car seat in the test of maxi-cosi or of concord has been rated well again this year.
The child seat test of the kiddy guardianfix pro showed, however, that this has major weaknesses and is therefore definitely not a test winner.

When does the child need a child seat?

As a rule for compulsory child seats in germany it applies that a child seat or a seat shell for children of suitable age up to the completion of the 12. Year of life or up to a body height of 1.50 meters must be used for every ride in the car. A child over 12 years of age, but smaller than 1.50 meters, can be transported without a child seat, but the police and ADAC recommend the use of a child seat in this case as well.

The car seat test has shown that with a smaller size of the safety belt without a seat, the child’s neck would be directly affected. In the event of a collision, this could then seriously injure the child.

Maxi-Cosi child seat safety instructions

If the child is not yet 12 years old, but is at least 1.50 meters tall, the child seat can be dispensed with. The safety risk is small due to the body size, since the safety belt runs as intended over the chest and shoulder. Depending on vehicle model if necessary, the belt should be adjusted accordingly so that exactly this effect is achieved.

How the child car seat test is carried out?

Step 1: when choosing a child seat, it is important to use only one that has passed the child car seat test. Since april 2008, this has also been provided for by the legal regulations and specifies that the child car seat test must have been carried out at least in accordance with ECE44/03 or higher.

Step 2: this can be recognized by the approval number on the orange ECE test seal, which is attached to the child seat. The first two digits of the total 8-digit number indicate the test version according to which the child car seat test was carried out.

Step 3: if the rating is 03 or 04, then the child seat has been tested in accordance with the legal requirements and therefore complies with the safety regulations. especially with used child seats, you should look closely at this test seal, because if there is a 00, a 01 or a 02 at the beginning of the approval number, then the child seat is outdated and no longer meets the legal requirements and the current safety regulations.

Furthermore, the child seat must of course fit in the vehicle used, because not every child seat is suitable for every car. Which child seat is suitable for your own vehicle can usually be found on the internet pages of the different child seat manufacturers (such as romer, maxi-cosi, kiddy, concord or chicco) are indicated. Otherwise, the personal child car seat test can be installed in the child’s own vehicle, whereby special attention should be paid to the length of the belt and the firm position of the seat.

For the correct test version of the child seat test, the child seat must of course also fit the size and weight of the child. For this different child car seats tested in the test and divided into different classes accordingly. Learn here how to find the right child seat for your child.

The different child seat groups

In order to ensure that the respective child seat fits the corresponding child optimally, the various child car seats have been divided into different groups. In total there are 8 different classes, where some classes overlap in terms of weight and size. This means that not every one of the 8 groups must actually be used.

With a targeted selection of suitable child seats, the child car seat test has shown that you can get along well with 2 different child seat groups and at the same time be in accordance with the legal regulations. The most different manufacturers (as for example recaro, storchenmuhle, cybex or united kids) offer child car seats in the different classes.

tested groups in the child car seat test

Group O: this child seat group is the smallest size and is intended for newborns. It is often referred to as a baby car seat and can be used up to a child weight of 10 kilograms.
Group 0+: this class of child seats can also be used from birth and is therefore also called baby shells. In contrast to group 0, these can be used up to a weight of 13 kilograms, but they can only be used against the direction of travel (in group 0, the child seat can also be attached lengthwise on the car seat).
Group 0/1: this group is an intermediate group. A suitable child seat can be used from birth and then up to a weight of 18 kilograms.
Group 1: this child seat class can be used from 9 to 18 kilograms, so if you use a group 0/1 child seat, you can do without this child seat group completely.
Group 2: this child seat class is used for a weight of 15 to 25 kilograms and is mostly used in the direction of travel.
Group 2/3: this is again an intermediate group of child seats, which can be used with a weight of 15 to 36 kilograms in the direction of travel.
Group 3: this child seat group refers only to booster seats that are used with a weight of 22 to 36 kilograms in the direction of travel.
Group 1/3: this child seat class can be used for a child weight of 9 to 36 kilograms and can make many of the other child seat groups unnecessary due to the large number of variations possible.

In general, it should be noted that the weight of the corresponding classes is a maximum value. The child car seat test has shown that often a larger child seat must be chosen before the specified maximum weight is reached, because the size of the child requires it. This deviating result comes from the fact that the child car seat test is tried with a doll. This corresponds to the maximum maximum weight or weighs slightly more, but is slightly smaller compared to an average growing child.

Therefore, you should not rely on the values, but rather try out the child car seat test with your own child and, if you are unsure, choose a larger child seat. In particular, baby seats should only be used until the child’s head protrudes above the upper edge of the child seat.

The maximum weight of the largest child seats is limited to 36 kilograms by the child car seat test for technical testing reasons. Nevertheless, such a child seat must also be used for heavy children, and a child seat can only be dispensed with before the child reaches the minimum age or size if the child’s girth no longer fits in a commercially available seat. In this case, an application for a special permit must be submitted to the relevant road traffic authority.

When can a booster seat be used??

Since booster seats are very easy to use and can be stowed away quickly, many parents want to replace the correct child seat with one as quickly as possible. Since the pure use of booster seats or seat shells are usually in child seat class 2 or 3, they can be used from a minimum weight of 15 kilograms.

However, the child car seat test has shown that an immediate changeover to a seat shell without backrest is not recommended, as safety is compromised in this case. On the one hand, they do not offer any side impact protection and most models also do not have any possibility for belt guidance, which means that the child can slip out of the safety belt very quickly.

Police, ADAC and stiftung warentest therefore recommend that, if possible, an appropriate child seat with a back and side restraint should be used. A seat shell should only be used in exceptional cases for shorter distances or for significantly larger children.

A child seat with isofix makes sense or not?

Even if this system is a bit more expensive: the child seat with isofix is a smart idea that saves a lot of time and nerves. The so-called i-size standard makes the system mandatory anyway. In the 1990s, the isofix was introduced – by the company Romer; it was the first child seat supplier to bring seats with this fastening system onto the market: the child seat with isofix was a real innovation. As a car manufacturer, VW was immediately on the spot. He appropriately supplied the first connection option for the new system; the golf 4 offered the option of using isofix in series production. The isofix locking system was born and well received. It doesn’t take much: the car only needs to have the two isofix anchorages; nothing stands in the way of the child seat with isofix.

Children in the front passenger seat

Especially when you are traveling alone with your child in the car, you can keep a closer eye on your child in the passenger seat and prevent smaller children from unbuckling their seat belts, for example. First and foremost, remember that the safest place for the child is in the middle of the back seat. Here it has the best protection in a possible side or frontal impact. However, if possible, a three-point belt and not just a lap belt should be used.

The general rule is: from the age of 12 or a height of at least 1.50 meters, a child can ride in the front passenger seat without a booster seat. In all other cases, the child can also sit in the passenger seat in the appropriate child seat, except in the case of rear-facing child seats with an activated front airbag. If the passenger airbag cannot be deactivated, the child must be placed on the back seat, otherwise the airbag could seriously injure the child when it is triggered (which has already been determined in the child car seat test).

The price comparison of the child car seat test showed that an expensive child seat is not necessarily a good child seat. It is therefore well worthwhile to look at the test reports and at the same time make a price comparison. In this way you can get a cheap child seat with the greatest safety.

Child car seat – test video

Suddenly everyone is alarmed at the escalation in tensions between state and church in Italy and scrambling for damage control. There is irritation on all sides about the extent of the shambles caused by the polemic over the restrictive immigration law. The crisis was recently aggravated by spicy revelations about the editor-in-chief of the Catholic newspaper "Avvenire".

After a series of attacks and threats against the Church and bishops, the "Lega Nord" is now seeking contact with the Vatican. Their leader Umberto Bossi wants to travel to Rome together with his party colleague Roberto Caledroli, minister in Silvio Berlusconi's cabinet, he announced in Bergamo on the weekend. Earlier, the head of the government, Berlusconi, had tried to prevent the conflict from spreading. He publicly distanced himself from the allegations against "Avvenire" editor-in-chief Dino Boffo. The newspaper "Il Giornale", which belongs to his family clan, had claimed that the Catholic journalist was homosexual and had been prosecuted for harassing and coercing his friend's wife. Boffo rejected these accusations in the Sunday edition of his paper: the alleged court note was a forgery. As a key witness, he presented Interior Minister Roberto Maroni of the "Lega Nord", who had expressed his solidarity with him and informed him that an immediately launched investigation had brought "nothing to light". The political opposition is also seizing the moment. Berlusconi is directing the attack against the Church, claimed Senator Felice Belisario of the liberal "Italy of Values" (IdV) party. It is impossible that Berlusconi did not know about the attacks on Boffo in "Il Giornale". Boffo also received support from the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), which publishes the "Avvennire". The attacks were "distasteful and very serious," stressed CEI Chairman Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco. The Vatican's restraint is striking. The "Osservatore Romano" did not go so far on the process, quoted only at the end of a long sermon message the criticism of Bagnasco. Already in the polemics of the past weeks, the Vatican had hardly expressed itself. No official word on Berlusconi's private life. Only very general statements on the law on foreigners – for example, that an "international legal agreement between countries of origin, transit and destination" of refugees and migrants is necessary. In contrast, individual Italian bishops or refugee officials had been very outspoken in their criticism of the law. Church media such as the high-circulation weekly "Famiglia Cristiana" and the "Avvenire" had also joined in. Not all of the wording had pleased the Vatican, such as the comparison made in "Avvenire" with the behavior of the Western powers toward the Shoa. Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone has been trying to bring church contacts with the Italian government back under greater Vatican direction since taking office. Here the former bishops' conference president Cardinal Camillo Ruini had had a free hand. Bertone is trying to take his successor, Bagnasco, more in hand. Bertone had also signaled an easing of tensions when he praised the government for its reconstruction work in the central Italian earthquake zone in a long interview with the "Osservatore Romano" newspaper last Friday. In L'Aquila he was to meet Berlusconi the same day. After the "Giornale" scandal, the meeting broke up. Instead, Bertone talked with Berlusconi's secretary of state and church commissioner Gianni Letta. And with this he might have already addressed next steps for calming the irritations between state and church.

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