Conference venue in Münster: Foreign Office had the cross removed for the G7 meeting

As the organizer of the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers, the Federal Foreign Office had a historic cross removed from the conference venue in Münster.

Conference venue in Münster: Foreign Office had the cross removed for the G7 meeting

As the organizer of the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers, the Federal Foreign Office had a historic cross removed from the conference venue in Münster.

That was part of a larger redesign of the hall, which was discussed by the Foreign Office with the city of Münster, a ministry spokesman said on Friday in Berlin. There was no decision on this at the political level. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) was not concerned with the issue. The "Westfälische Nachrichten" had previously reported about it.

Baerbock regretted the Foreign Office's decision. "It was not a conscious decision, certainly not a political decision, but obviously an organizational decision," said the Green politician on Friday after meeting her colleagues from the economically strong democracies. "I would have liked it if we hadn't put it away." You only found out about it on Friday morning.

Baerbock and her counterparts from the economically strong democracies met on Thursday and Friday in the Peace Hall of the historic town hall, among other places. This is a symbolic place, the Peace of Westphalia was signed there more than 370 years ago, ending the Thirty Years' War.

The crucifix is ​​missing in the photos

On a ledge on a wood-panelled wall there is actually a large cross, according to the "Westfälische Nachrichten" it is the "Ratskreuz" from the 16th century. On photos of the G7 round from the room, however, it can be seen in the background that the base is empty and the crucifix is ​​missing. In addition to Germany, the group includes France, Italy, Japan, Canada, the USA and Great Britain. Germany will chair until the end of the year and is currently responsible for organizing conferences.

The spokesman for the Foreign Office said that a change in furniture is common at such meetings. There would be a different table, different lighting, different carpets. Münster's Lord Mayor Markus Lewe (CDU) said that the cross had been removed at the request of the Foreign Office for the time of the meeting. The city did everything to ensure that the conference ran smoothly. "But I don't think this decision should have been taken and I regret it. My impression is that the Foreign Minister was also surprised by it," he said. For centuries, the cross has belonged to the Hall of Peace and thus to the history and culture of the conference venue.

Criticism of the eviction of the Christian symbol

The parliamentary manager of the Union faction, Thorsten Frei (CDU), criticized the television channel "Welt" that the federal government was "tradition and history forgotten". Anyone who has symbols of the Christian faith removed from a meeting room is not cosmopolitan, but obstinate.

The diocese of Münster described the measure in a statement as "incomprehensible". Traditions and symbols associated with them, which are an expression of values, attitudes and religious beliefs, cannot simply be “hanged out”.

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