“Terrible conditions in germany”

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Prostitution © Caro Bastian (epd)

An alliance of aid and women's organizations wants to work together for the so-called "Nordic model" in prostitution. Voluntariness in prostitution has been shown to be a fiction in most cases.

The Prostitution Protection Act, which has been in effect in Germany for three years, has failed and has not fundamentally improved the situation of prostitutes, said Inge Bell of Terre des Femmes in Berlin on Monday. In addition to Terre des Femmes, the aid organizations Solwodi and Sisters are among those participating in the alliance.

The alliance commented on the International Day against Prostitution. The Nordic Model provides for a general "sex purchase ban" and punishes johns, while decriminalizing prostitutes. It was introduced in Sweden in 1999 and now applies in several EU countries, such as France.

The Swedish ambassador to Germany, Per Thoresson, rejected the accusation that the regulation pushes prostitution underground and thus promotes violence against women. According to scientific evaluations, the opposite is the case. Prostitution has declined, and Sweden has become unattractive to human traffickers.

Young prostitutes from Eastern Europe in Germany

Annika Kleist of Sisters pointed out that over 80 percent of prostitutes in Germany came from Eastern European countries. They often come here very young under false promises. For them, it has "catastrophic consequences when sexual acts are performed on them against their will.". Maria Decker of Solwodi also reported "serious psychological problems" among prostitutes. Most continue to live in brothels and have no contact with the outside world.

Kleist sharply criticized the implementation of the law in Berlin. Of the 400 or so brothels, just 220 had applied for recognition by February, of which 33 had been processed so far, he said. Now politicians are even debating whether the police should continue to have unrestricted access to brothels for control purposes.

Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker (CDU), vice chairwoman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, supports the cause. The Prostitutes Protection Act was the right thing to do, but it failed. She lamented "terrible conditions" in Germany. In light of debates about "No means No" and "MeToo," he said it is incomprehensible that women continue to be subjected to unwanted sexual assault by the prevailing power structure. The CDU politician also lamented the image of women conveyed by sex for sale.

Diakonia against "Nordic Model

Diakonie spoke out against the model in a press release. Maria Loheide, director of social policy at Diakonie Deutschland, said, "Bans neither prevent prostitution nor curb its negative effects". There is no reliable evidence for the effectiveness of the Nordic model. Rather, a sex-buying ban increases the risk of being exploited. Working conditions would deteriorate and stigmatization would increase.

Raise awareness for 'churchly smell' and more

Where to go for ecumenism? © Harald Oppitz (KNA)

Many "faux pas" lurk at meetings of Christians of different denominations. An "ecumenical etiquette guide" helps avoid awkward behavior. The handbook also provides an overview of theological differences.

Hate speech on the Internet and other verbal lapses are booming. There the call for the "Knigge" becomes again louder. The much-cited book takes its name from the Lower Saxon nobleman Adolph Freiherr Knigge. 230 years ago, the author, who was influenced by the Enlightenment, published his advice "On how to deal with people" and helped shape the behavior of many generations. Inspired by this, the Working Group of Christian Churches in Saxony-Anhalt has published an "Ecumenical Etiquette", which is now appearing in a second and revised edition.

One occasion for the first edition was the 2017 commemoration of 500 years of the Reformation. The Protestants expressly did not want to organize it as an exclusive jubilee celebration, but invited representatives of other churches as well. There were no "faux pas" or at least none that attracted attention. But: "The encounter of Christians of different denominations continues to be overshadowed by a sense of strangeness," the brochure's publishers admit. At the same time, Jurgen Dittrich, Dorothea Lasker-Merker and Brigitte Schmeja emphasize: "If there is such a thing as a different 'church smell,' it plays a greater role in personal encounters than people realize."

"Ecumenical etiquette" gives advice for dealing with differences

Like the influential historical model, however, the "Ecumenical Etiquetteers" do not limit themselves to mere rules of etiquette. "They are embedded in a larger context that opens up the framework of why some behaviors lend themselves and some rather do not," writes the executive director of ACK Germany, Verena Hammes, in her foreword.

Even "hot potatoes" such as the differences in the "Holy Meal" are not left out of the handbook. In the Catholic Church, the Eucharist is usually reserved only for members of one's denomination, while most Protestant churches invite all Christians to their communion meal.

On this ie, the guidebook recommends – as it does throughout – ecumenical sensitivity. "Demonstrative participation that forces communion in doubt harms the cause of ecumenical fellowship," warns Church Etiquetteer: "If you are a guest and unsure whether you are invited to the communion, check with the leader in charge of the service beforehand."

Promoting acceptance and understanding

Another controversial topic is the blessing of same-sex couples in some Protestant regional churches. Here, too, the handout warns "not to set one's own understanding absolutely and to appreciate accents of other churches in the sense of ecumenical learning". The authors emphatically oppose "superficial attributions with terms such as conservative, liberal or progressive".

In return, they demand acceptance for women pastors and bishops, as exists in liberal Protestant churches. "Women in the spiritual office are entitled to the same respect as other ordained clergy, even if their own church rejects the ordination of women."

Last but not least, "Ecumenical Etiquette" is also a style guide for worship attire – quoting a single time from its prominent predecessor: "Do not dress below and not above your station; not above and not below your wealth; not fanciful; not colorful; not without need splendid, shining, and precious."

Pope Francis © Evandro Inetti

"Europe is afraid," Pope Francis is quoted as saying in a new book. In the interview book, he talks about "just war," poverty, friendship with women and psychotherapy with a Jewish analyst, among other things.

The book, which is about 400 pages long, includes interviews with Pope Francis. Excerpts released in advance show that the pope is worried about Europe and calls on the continent to rediscover its roots. "I would like to see a Mother Europe," the French "Figaro Magazine" quotes from an interview book by the French sociologist Dominique Wolton, which will be published on Wednesday. The magazine published in advance some excerpts from the talks with the Pope. Europe should not be afraid and should not close itself off, the pope said. "At the moment, Europe is afraid."

Europe, he said, is a story of "cultural, multicultural integration," Francis stressed. In order to define European culture today, the Christian roots are certainly important, but also the different languages and the ability to integrate.

Europe is partly responsible for the causes of migration

The pope also held Europe partly responsible for the causes of migration. Many migrants come to Europe because they have no work or because of war. "Who makes the war? Who provides the weapons? We," Francis is quoted as saying.

Africans have been exploited by European colonial powers, Francis said. Nowadays, he said, it is international companies that cut down entire forests in African countries. More job opportunities need to be created in Africa; companies need to invest there.

Church must deal aggressively with abuse

Furthermore, the pope stressed that the church must not take a "defensive" position in dealing with abuse. If a priest has abused someone, he is "sick," "Figaro Magazine" quotes from the interview book.

The church must teach how to prevent abuse and encourage a child to talk about what happened, he said. In France, there had been a wave of allegations against priests of abuse in 2016. Bishops were accused of not responding even though they were said to have known about allegations.

Religions are not sub-cultures

In France, where there is a separation between church and state, religions should also be seen as part of the culture. It is a "stupidity" to say that one should not wear a cross visibly around the neck.

Religions are not "sub-cultures," says Francis. "One wears a cross, the other something else, the rabbi wears a kippah and the pope wears a cap," Francis said. That would be a "healthy" separation of church and state.

Marriage is covenant between man and woman

In the book, Pope Francis also reiterated his view of marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman. "We can't change this. That is the nature of things," the "Figaro Magazine" quotes. Marriage, he said, was a "historic word".

In the history of mankind, not only in the church, it has always been concluded between a man and a woman, he said. A covenant between people of the same sex should be called "registered partnership", Francis said.

Talking to the Pope about God and the world

The interview book "Politique et societe, Pape Francois, rencontres avec Dominique Wolton" (Politics and society, Pope Francis, encounters with Dominique Wolton) will be published next Wednesday. For the book, Wolton had met with the pope twelve times over two years and interviewed him about his past as well as current ies such as the refugee crisis, Islam and marriage.

The book is said to be about various topics: For example, Francis is expected to explain his aversion to the term "just war," as well as his commitment to bringing the ie of poverty back to the forefront in the church. Outside, he talks about friendships with women and his time with a Jewish psychoanalyst whom he had visited at the age of 42.

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