Aigner’s Catholic faith pairs commitment with calls for church reform

If CSU politician Ilse Aigner is elected Germany’s president, she would be the first woman in the office and only the third Catholic to hold it, BR reports. Her public profile combines a strong Catholic faith with calls for reform and an emphasis on dialogue.

Aigner is closely involved in church life in her home region of Upper Bavaria, according to Waakirchen parish priest Stefan Fischbacher, whose town is in her constituency. He said he regularly sees her at services and religious festivals, most recently at the Leonhardi procession in Bad Tölz. Fischbacher told BR that she takes part as a member of the worshipping community and is familiar with its rituals.

Aigner has spoken openly about her Catholic faith, saying in an interview that it eases her fear of death. She has also called for changes in the Catholic Church, including an end to mandatory celibacy for priests and the ordination of women. She has argued that women already contribute extensively to parish life, religious events and charitable work, and should also hold positions in the Church.

Christian Gärtner, head of the Bavarian Committee of Catholics and a vice-president of the Central Committee of German Catholics, praised Aigner’s political leadership and her work with church organisations. She served for several years as state chair of Donum Vitae, an association founded by Catholic laypeople that provides pregnancy-conflict counselling. The association was formed after Catholic bishops withdrew from counselling that issued certificates, following pressure from the Vatican.

The Humanist Press Service has criticised Aigner over a decision she made as federal agriculture minister not to remove a cross from a visitors’ room at her ministry. Leaders from Jewish and Muslim communities have responded positively. Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, praised Aigner’s values, while Penzberg imam Benjamin Idriz commended her for listening and valuing dialogue. Aigner also once contradicted her party colleague Horst Seehofer, then interior minister, after he said Islam did not belong to Germany.

If elected in late January and taking office in March, Aigner would succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier and become the first woman president. The office has traditionally been held mostly by Protestants, but Bavarian Lutheran bishop Christian Kopp said he welcomed the prospect of a devout Catholic in the role, citing the respect for life, charity and decency that he sees in Aigner. A president’s duties include inviting the pope to Germany, which would put a possible invitation to Pope Leo XIV in Aigner’s hands.