Incompatible with our values - Kölblin excludes members of the Alternative for Germany party
Kolping Germany, a major Catholic social organization, announced that membership in the AfD (Alternative for Germany) is no longer compatible with belonging to Kolping. This decision came during the organization's national assembly, reaffirming its firm stance against political positions that contradict the core values of Kolping.
The Public Relations Department of the organization announced that from now on, any member who "expresses by word or deed" beliefs or positions that contradict the principles of Kolping can be excluded. The political positions of AfD have been specifically noted as conflicting with the organization's values.
Kolping Germany was founded and is based in Cologne, and it is a nationwide Catholic charity organization with around 200,000 members. This includes about 34,000 children, adolescents, and young people participating in various Kolping programs and activities.
The organization manages a wide range of institutions and businesses, employing around 10,000 people. By excluding AfD members, Kolping reinforces its commitment to its ethical and social principles, striving to ensure that its community aligns with its core values.
This step highlights the increasing tensions between social organizations and political movements in Germany, emphasizing how value-based groups actively respond to the ideological differences among their members.