German ombudsman insults faithful

In May the German mass media reported on insulting statements made by the special envoy on human rights and humanitarian support of the federal government of Germany, Markus Loening, toward the faithful. Loening posted advice on his Facebook page: “Too stupid to understand science? Try religion!” It caused serious discontent in many German circles.

When journalist Hunnar Shupelius asked Loening to comment on the issue, he said he decided to check how tolerant the faithful are to critics of their religion. Shupelius considered Loening’s comment to be a provocation against the faithful.

The Archbishop of the German Catholic Church, Ludwig Muller, expressed his own opinion on the insult. Muller called the incident a terrible mistake and indirectly urged Lening to resign: “Loening is a man who is not in his place.”