The parish association of St. Korbinian, St. Alto, and St. Birgitta in Unterhaching protests against the AfD's use of the church's image on their campaign flyer, stating it misrepresents their stance and could imply support for the party's political goals.
In Unterhaching, the parish association representing the churches of St. Korbinian, St. Alto, and St. Birgitta has expressed strong disapproval over the far-right political party, AfD, using an image of the historic St. Korbinian church tower on their election campaign flyer. The community is concerned that the usage of the church’s iconic image, built around 1310, could mislead voters into believing that the local parishes and their congregations support the AfD's political agenda.
The parish representatives have issued a statement emphasizing that the portrayal of their church in this context is not only inappropriate but also abusive and misleading. They argue that the flyer could create a false impression that aligns the local Catholic communities' beliefs and values with the ideals and policies of the AfD, which have been widely criticized for their far-right positions. This disassociation from the AfD is crucial for the parishes, stressing their commitment to a more inclusive and compassionate community ethos.
The parish association's objection highlights the intersection of religion and politics, especially in local elections where visual symbols can carry significant weight. By publicly distancing themselves from the AfD, the church leaders aim to protect their reputation and uphold the inclusivity of their religious community, particularly at a time when extremist ideologies may seek to capitalize on cultural symbols for political gain.
