First female German Protestant leader quits after drinking offense Trier

Germany (ENI). The first woman elected to lead Germany's 24 million Protestants through the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Bishop Margot Kässman, has said she is resigning, only days after she was apprehended for a drink-driving offense. She said she will immediately give up her posts as a bishop and as head of the EKD, but will continue as a pastor.

Kässmann, a Lutheran and the chairperson of the EKD, the umbrella organisation of Germany's Protestants, was caught drink-driving on the evening of 20 February evening in Hanover. She allegedly jumped a red traffic light and was found three times over the legal limit.

Protestants, Catholics regret resignation of German bishop

Germany (ENI). Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders have expressed their regret about the resignation of Bishop Margot Kässmann, the first woman to lead 24 million German Protestants, who belong to the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). At a 24 February press conference in Hanover, where she was resident bishop, Kässmann said she was resigning from her leadership positions, only days after she was stopped for a drink-driving offence. When she made her announcement she was flanked by her four grown-up daughters. Kässmann said she had given up her posts as a bishop and as head of the EKD but would continue as a pastor.


ENI, 24 February


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