The Protestant Church was the only social force in the country that enjoyed
wide-ranging political independence and ideological neutrality. Thus it was
accepted as a trustworthy mediator between the state and the citizens.
Christian motivation
Inspired by the Christian message and the Protestant tradition,
individual Christians and representatives of the Church began
early to call for social reforms and for the enactment of civil
liberties (freedom to travel, freedom to express opinions, etc.)
Actions
In its double role as “roof for the opposition” on
the one hand and political mediator on the other, the Protestant Church
was active in many different ways:
• Churches served as meeting places for opposition groups and as localities for political events;
• Opposition groups were supported by church resources
(personnel, technical aid etc.) and many pastors became leaders of such groups.
• Church representatives met with government representatives in mediatory
discussions to obtain concessions for the populace and to avoid violence;
• Prayer services for peace were held before the Monday demonstrations
to attune the demonstrators to non-violence;
• In the wake of the “Wende”, the church organized the round-table
discussions that helped fashion the future of the country.
Credibility
Its broad political and ideological neutrality and its high moral authority
made the Protestant Church a credible agent for peace, accepted by all parties involved.
Effectiveness
Its manifold contacts – to the opposition and to national and
international public figures – made the Protestant Church a most
effective agent for peace:
• Contacts to the opposition influenced its direction and methods;
• Contacts to important personalities of public life and to representatives
of the government made interventions of mediation and de-escalation possible.
• Contacts to the West German Protestant Church provided access to
the Western media and international public opinion.
