German Priest Criticised and Ridiculed for Headscarf Protest

by hazelelponiSC · May 28, 2018

Bishop Gebhard Furst of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Germany, is pictured in an undated photo. Bishop Furst has criticised the manner of a protest bya priest who tied a scarf around his head during a Pentecost sermon and wore it on the altar during the duration of the service. (CNS photo/Harald Oppitz, KNA)

A German pastor has ignited controversy by donning a headscarf during his Pentecost Sunday sermon. Father Wolfgang Sedlmeier, pastor of the Parish of St. Maria in Aalen, shocked his congregation by tying a scarf around his head during a Pentecost sermon and wearing it on the altar during the duration of the service.

Father Sedlmeier said he wished to protest discrimination against Muslims and Jews, according to SWR radio. The gesture has sparked a storm of outrage and ridicule on social media, including Twitter and Facebook, earning Father Sedlmeier the internet nickname of the “Headscarf Priest.” The priest was protesting against remarks made by a politician in Germany’s parliament which was seen as insulting women who wear the hijab.

Bishop Gebhard Furst of Rottenburg-Stuttgart has criticised the manner of Father Sedlmeier’s protest.

“The form … is certainly borderline and not well-chosen,” Bishop Furst told the media. “Therefore, I will start a clarifying conversation with him in the next coming days.”

The diocese said that no disciplinary actions are planned. However, a diocesan spokesman expressed unhappiness with Father Sedlmeier’s behaviour in Mass and the ensuing social media rampage.

“To put on a headscarf during a Mass is certainly very unusual for the Catholic Church,” a diocesan spokesman told local media. – CNS