The Catholic Church in Germany is joining growing concerns in the country over the rise of far-right, antisemitic, and anti-democratic groups that are gaining increased support among the German electorate ahead of the European Parliament elections, and of other important regional and local polls.
Of particular concern are radical groups such as the III Way, Heimat, and AfD (Alternative for Germany), a German nationalist, euro-sceptic, and anti-immigration party, currently ranking second in the polls, behind the CDU/CSU centre-right Christian democratic political alliance.
Bishops, men and women religious and lay Catholic organisations have stated that they cannot accept the ideology of these parties, saying it is incompatible with Christian and democratic values.
