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An exchange between representatives of the diocese and members of the main and finance committee of the city of Fulda took place on Wednesday evening in the bishop's house. The focus was on dealing with possible street renaming and the development of a culture of remembrance.
Fulda – In addition to the committee members led by chairman Hans-Dieter Alt, Mayor Dr. Heiko Wingenfeld (both CDU) as well as the chairmen of the Construction Committee and the Culture Committee took part. Also present was Gerhard Möller, former mayor of the city of Fulda and spokesman for the Independent Commissionwhich prepared the report on dealing with sexual violence in the diocese of Fulda.
Exchange in the Bishop's House on Johannes-Dyba-Allee
The diocese and city of Fulda described the exchange in the bishop's house as trusting, respectful and based on the desire to face historical responsibility in a differentiated and responsible manner.
Mayor Wingenfeld and the chairman of the main and finance committee, Hans-Dieter Alt, emphasized the importance of the exchange between the city and the diocese: “We very much welcome the fact that this conversation could take place today at the invitation of the bishop. The diocese presented the report of the processing commission with a high level of transparency last year – that deserves our respect. Now it is important to work out in dialogue with the city committees and the diocese how appropriate and worthy forms of remembrance culture can be developed,” said the Mayor.
Fulda's Bishop Dr. Michael Gerber emphasized that the diocese is aware of its responsibility and sees an open and differentiated approach to its own history as an essential task. “We don’t want to whitewash our history, we don’t want to rewrite it either, because Bishop Dyba is and remains part of the church and the city’s history,” said Gerber after the meeting.
At the same time, he emphasized the importance of dialogue with local politics as an important partner of the diocese: “We face our responsibility, the good and the bad sides in the millennia of our church's existence. We have to assume our role and live up to it.” The bishop also emphasized that the diocese wanted to continue to support the process of forming opinions constructively. The Decision on Johannes-Dyba-Allee Ultimately, however, this lies solely with the municipal committees. The constructive atmosphere of the discussion was emphasized as an important basis for further dealing with the topic.
In the next step, the topic of renaming the street will be discussed in a regular committee meeting, a recommendation will then be drawn up and then go to the city council for a decision.
