Bishop Thomas Schirrmacher in conversation with Professor Volker Kauder and Bishop Yassir Erik © FTH
Congratulations!
Archbishop and Professor Thomas Schirrmacher turns 65. He has a broad and solid education in theology and religious studies, which forms the foundation for his diverse activities. Although he is entrusted with numerous tasks, he continues to work as an academic teacher to this day. He is one of the leading experts on religious freedom and Christian persecution. He is considered one of the architects of the ecumenical document “Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World” (2011). He is convinced that commitment to persecuted Christians can only be considered convincing if the freedom of all religions is demanded and guaranteed. He sought interreligious dialogue without relativizing the Christian message. He was tirelessly on the road for his mission, especially between 2021 and 2024, when he was General Secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance.
His energy and drive are seen as exemplary by many people. Although he has had to scale back his activities for health reasons, he remains tirelessly active and is particularly committed to the implementation of religious freedom in Islamic countries. The Protestant community expresses its gratitude. But he is also highly regarded in the Vatican and was considered Pope Francis’s favorite Protestant. Now that he has reached the age of 65, he can look back on a fulfilling life. We wish him many more healthy years in which he can continue to work for our common cause.
May God’s blessing accompany and protect him in this endeavor.
Professor Volker Kauder, Chair of Religious Freedom, FTH Giessen
Member of the German Bundestag 1990–2021,
Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag 2005–2018