Munich (dpa / lby) - The Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder has paid tribute to the Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx for his efforts in dealing with the abuse scandal of the Catholic Church. At the annual reception of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, the CSU politician said it was "honorable" to take responsibility in difficult times and try to steer the ship of the church. Just over a year earlier, Marx had offered his resignation to the Pope in connection with the abuse scandal. But Francis refused.
However, Söder did not save in connection with the abuse scandal with critical words towards the church. In many cases you look into an abyss. Some asked whether the reaction was too late, in too many individual steps - or whether more empathy was needed.
There has been a “permanent low” over the church for a long time, said Söder. And if membership continues to develop, voices questioning the Church's privileges may become louder. However, Söder himself explicitly acknowledged the church and its importance. Without her, the country would be poorer, he stressed, advising she must go on the offensive.
