Germany: Scandal at Archbishop's Midnight Eucharist (Video)
There were loud protests at the Midnight Eucharist (24 December) in Freiburg Cathedral, Germany, presided over by Archbishop Stephan Burger.
The reason was the dismissal of the cathedral's music director, Boris Böhmann, 60, who had conducted the cathedral's choir boys on Christmas Eve. His contract will be terminated in February 2025.
After a hymn sung by the cathedral choir boys, there was minutes of demonstrative applause accompanied by chants and shouts - a show of solidarity for Böhmann.
Since 2003, Böhmann has been the choirmaster of Freiburg Cathedral and director of the Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir, the Freiburg Cathedral Chapel, the Freiburg Cathedral Choir and the Choral Schola.
In July 2024, seven years before his regular retirement date, he was dismissed from his position as cathedral director by his employer without giving a reason. The dismissal was upheld by the Labour Court.
The protests during the Eucharist were directed against the Archdiocese. During the Eucharist, …More
Let us pray desperately that no form of abominable perversion or sexual immorality lies at the root of this very unfortunate and regrettable situation. Especially none that would have involved the abuse of any Choir member, irrespective of age or gender. A full official accounting detailing the specific reason(s) for the Choirmaster’s abrupt and summary dismissal has not been explicitly provided; just the presumed opinions of certain observers. But, God be pleased, the truth will out. May it not be of an unsavory, repugnant or malfeasant nature.