“We thank God for this great person”: In a sermon, Bishop Fehrs honors the life and work of the late Wolfgang Schäuble. Illustrious guests come together in the Bundestag.
The Protestant Bishop Kirsten Fehrs has honored the role model function of the deceased former Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble.
With his “courage of hope,” the CDU politician gave strength to an incredible number of people, said the current EKD council chairwoman in the Berlin Cathedral in her sermon during the memorial service for Schäuble. “There are heavy things, yes, wheelchairs, barriers, limits of all kinds, but nothing that you can’t make the best of.” Schäuble was like that until the end. “We thank God for this outstanding politician and dedicated Democrat, we thank God for this great person.”
Fehrs called the deceased an “impressive anti-populist” who was needed especially in these times. “An anti-populist and at the same time a person who has put himself entirely, with all his strength, passion and dedication, into the service of our community and our democracy. And who achieved so many things with his willpower. What would our country look like now if not “A politician as far-sighted as he would have negotiated the German unification treaty?”
Schäuble died on Boxing Day at the age of 81. He was buried in his hometown of Offenburg. In his long political career, Schäuble was head of the Chancellery, Federal Minister of the Interior and Finance, chairman of the CDU and President of the Bundestag. Most recently, he was a simple member of the Bundestag, where he served for 51 years – longer than any other member in German parliamentary history. After the service, an act of mourning took place in the plenary hall of the Bundestag.
Macron pays tribute to “founding father” Schäuble
French President Emmanuel Macron also gave a speech. He praised Schäuble as a friend of France and a great European. In German he said: “Germany has lost a statesman. Europe has lost a pillar. France has lost a friend.” Schäuble’s desire to have a Frenchman speak in the Bundestag says a lot about his trust in France and Germany.
Macron also recalled the death of Jacques Delor on December 27th. “One after the other, Europe has lost two of its great thinkers.” Both were founding fathers of European unification and the reconciliation of the peoples. “Two statesmen who gave everything for their countries and Europe “They were two lives as links and mediators. “They left us one night apart and our hearts as Europeans now bear double sadness.”
With the signing of the Élysée Treaty on January 22, 1963, Germany and France were obliged to reconcile, said Macron. “This task was in the hands of several generations. These include the founding fathers of Europe (…). Wolfgang Schäuble was one of this generation of master builders.”
Illustrious guests
In addition to the Schäubles family, the heads of the five constitutional bodies took part in the service, headed by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Numerous political companions also came – including former Federal Presidents Horst Köhler and Christian Wulff, former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and former Bundestag Presidents Rita Süssmuth and Norbert Lammert (both CDU). A large black and white portrait of the deceased stood in front of a Christmas tree on the steps to the altar.
During the service, Bishop Fehrs pointed out Schäuble’s ability for self-irony, his legendary presence, his discipline, his intellect “and his sharpness, which also knew sharpness.” Schäuble will be missed – by his family, his friends and his companions. “On days like these we notice what is missing, but also what remains: with great gratitude we realize how much good Wolfgang Schäuble has brought forward for our country and our world,” said Fehrs.
