Official Catholic Church Women's Group Involved in Legal Prostitution Scheme in Germany

LifeSiteNews.com ^ | May 4, 2006 | John-Henry Westen

[LifeSite News]

Germany's legal prostitution scheme, introduced by the Socialist-Green government in 2001, has generated new controversy as the World Cup is about to begin. German authorities are readying for a boom in the sex trade with the construction of mega-brothels and sex-huts or "performance boxes" as they are called. (coverage: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/may/06050108.html)

Even stranger than the fact that German governmental authorities are, through taxation, profiting from the wiles of prostitution, is the fact that the Catholic Church in Germany is involved in the legal prostitution scheme. The city of Cologne funds the project with some 480,000 Euros per year.

The "Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen" (SkF) [Catholic Women's Welfare Service] is, according to its website, "a women's association in the Catholic Church (in Germany) . . . supporting women on the outskirts of society who suffer from discrimination and the feeling of being excluded." SKF in Cologne, in conjunction with the police and the health department spent three years coming up with the plan for a fenced off compound on the city outskirts where prostitutes can ply their trade "safely".

The area allows those wishing to purchase sexual favours to drive into garage-type structures called "performance boxes" where prostitutes await them.

The Catholic Women's group's Sabine Reichert explained in an interview with Deutsche Welle last year, "Every hut is fitted so that the driver has to get out on the side nearest to the wall, and the prostitute has the side with an exit into the street in case she has to get away in an emergency. There are red alarm buttons in every box that can be pressed."

[MILESJESU]

Dear Freepers in Christ,

A Fine Anti- Catholic Article by Freeper LifesiteNews.

Will Freeper Lifesitenews tell us how exactly is the Catholic Church in Germany involved in Legal Prostitution.

Freeper LifeSiteNews has conveniently left out an important fact that this is probably an ultra- liberal breakaway Group that has nothing to do with the Catholic Church.

[MILESJESU]

Catholic Church Involved in Legal Prostitution Scheme in Germany PING !

PINGING YOU ALL TO THIS RIDICULOUS ARTICLE THAT ATTACKS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN GERMANY.

I would like an explanation from this Freeper -- whether this so called Catholic Women's Group is in fact associated with the Catholic Church or it is just his assumption.

[heartwood]

Also from the article:

"The participation of the Catholic Women's group in the prostitution scheme is at odds with Catholic teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls prostitution "a social scourge" and notes that "it is always gravely sinful to engage in prostitution." Moreover, in numerous addresses, the late Pope John Paul II decried prostitution. In September 2004, speaking to the bishops of New Zealand, Pope John Paul specifically condemned the facilitation of prostitution. He pointed to "the distortion of reason by particular interest groups and exaggerated individualism" which leads to "the tragic consequences of . . . the facilitation of abortion and prostitution." (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/sep/04091304.html)

There are are a lot of left-wing despisers of Catholic teaching in the Catholic service agencies, even if the SkF is not a breakawy group.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

From their webpage, the group looks to have the blessing of the Ordinary there:

he "Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen" (SkF) [~Catholic Women's Welfare Service] is a women's association in the Catholic Church providing help to children, young people, women and their families in particularly difficult circumstances. Above all, the SkF is involved in supporting women on the outskirts of society who suffer from discrimination and the feeling of being excluded.

The "Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen" is a professional women's association.
In accordance with its statutes, the work of the SkF is based on the principle of voluntary work. The cooperation of people working in a voluntary capacity and those employed by the association is a central element of the organisation of local SkF branches. Management tasks in these branches are performed by voluntary managing committees comprising only women. In cooperation with those working in various specific areas, they decide on the principles governing the work and organisation of the association.

As a charitable association within the Catholic Church, the SkF carries out its charitable work on the basis of the Gospel, an approach representing one of the Church's central ideas.

The work of the association
Counselling and assistance for the welfare of children and young people
Assistance to families provided by social workers
Adoption and fostering services
International adoption services
Daily nursing services
Guardianships for minors
Welfare institutions for children and youth people

Counselling and assistance for women and families in particularly difficult circumstances
Counselling for pregnant women, particularly for those in conflict situations
Supporting measures
Institutions for mothers and/with children
Counselling in cases of separations and divorce
Battered wives' refuge
Family counselling
General welfare counselling

Counselling and assistance for women and families at risk
Debt counselling
Assistance for the homeless
Social risk areas
Assistance for offenders
Counselling and assistance for prostitutes
Counselling and assistance for women and children infected by HIV or suffering from AIDS

Counselling and assistance for the mentally ill and care in line with official guidelines
Counselling and assistance for handicapped people
Institutions for helping handicapped people

The "Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen" Catholic Women's Welfare Service) was founded in Dortmund in 1899 by Agnes Neuhaus.

The SkF in figures:

The association
Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen - Zentrale e. V., Dortmund
Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen - Landesstelle Bayern e. V., Munich

It is represented in 25 dioceses with diocesan offices and supra-diocesan representation. It includes 162 local branches and contact points, 9,000 regular and supporting members, 4,700 voluntary workers (women) who are not members, 5,000 full or part-time employees (men and women).

Federal chairwoman: Maria Elisabeth Thoma, Neuss
General secretary: Gaby Hagmans, Dortmund
Minister of Religion: Suffragan Bishop Manfred Grothe, Paderborn

Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen - Zentrale e. V. -
Agnes-Neuhaus-Straße 5
D-44135 Dortmund
Phone +49 (0) 231 557026-0
Fax +49 (0) 231 557026-60
eMail info@skf-zentrale.de

http://www.skf-zentrale.de/html/skf_englisch.html

Which tells you something about the state of the church there...

[MILESJESU]

I need more proof or a lot of proof which would indicate that the Catholic Church is a part and parcel of "Legal Prostitution in Germany".

Granted that there is a lot of liberalism in the Catholic Church in Germany and in other parts of Europe -- nut I doubt any Catholic Bishop or Bishops would stoop so low as to endorse this nonsense Immorality.

[Theoden]

A Catholic Women's Association is NOT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH! The press would love for the ignorant to believe their headlines and believe that the Church is implicated in this. Just because an organization claims to be Catholic, or because are loosely tied to the Church, does not mean they act with the authority of the Church, or necessarily with their blessings.

In fact, the German bishops should dismantle that organization, if not expell the members from the Church altogether. They are Catholic In Name Only. Can't follow the rules of the Catholic Church? Leave and join one of the liberal Protestant denominations, or make up your own. I can't stand these people.

[MILESJESU]

Dear Knitting A Conundrum,

I read your post but it does not say anywhere that the German Catholic Bishops Conference endorses "Legal Prostitution" and the proceeds that comes out of that sordid business.

In your post it does speak about, "Counselling and Assistance to Prostitutes" by this Group of Women but it does not say that this Women's Group endorses their Immoral activities.

I for one, will not accept this as the final word on this shocking thread. As, I said earlier if there is more evidence indicting the German Catholic Bishop's Conference -- I would certainly like to see it.

[MILESJESU]

Granted that there is a lot of liberalism in the Catholic Church in Germany and in other parts of Europe -- but I doubt any Catholic Bishop or Bishops would stoop so low as to endorse this nonsense Immorality.

Also, if a certain women's group is allegedly involved in this sordid behavior -- How does that indict "The Catholic Church" ?

I just don't understand the author of this article. There are lots of Liberal Left- Wing so called Catholic Women's Groups in the United States like Planned Parenthood etc and I bet they are also into some sordid activities but that does not mean that the Catholic Church is involved in their immoral activities.

[RobbyS]

"Catholic" like Catholics for Choice is Catholic.

[RobbyS]

A complicating fact is that prostitution is legal in Germany.

[MILESJESU]

Yes, I know that about Germany and the Legalization of Prostitution in that country just like in Holland.

But that still does not prove that the Catholic Church is involved in this "Sordid Business" ?

IN THE RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST,

[Daffy]

If a child (with his dad) picks up a rock and throws it through someone's window, the dad is expected to correct the kid. If the dad does nothing, what should we think of the dad?

[MHGinTN]

Whatever ones 'impression' from this article, I as a none Catholic member cannot even start to believe the current Pope would endorse such foolery as depicted in this German issue. As an Episcopalian, I wouldn't want to be assumed in agreement with the demonic serving appointment of an openly, practicing homosexual as a church bishop.

[MILESJESU]

So your point is -- what exactly ?

That the Catholic Church should be held accountable for "A So called Catholic Women's Group" that endorses Legalized Prostitution.

You cannot hold the Catholic Church accountable for the misdeeds of some of its members which has occurred down the centuries. I mean that is ridiculous.

There have been groups and individuals in North America, that claim to be catholic and yet have engaged in obnoxious as well as immoral stuff.

Based, on your analogy of the Dad with his Kid -- How about this Scenario ?

The Catholic Church as the "Dad" corrects the "Kid" who we shall assume is a Group that is at odds with Church Teaching but this Group still goes ahead and does whatever it thinks is right in its opinion.

Should the Catholic Church still be held responsible for the actions of some of its members who disregard its directives and go ahead and do and behave as they feel like ?

I don't think so. Still, I would like to see some additional proof that this is being endorsed by the "German Catholic Bishops Conference" in its entirety.

Let us pray that this is not true. Let me also end by saying what a certain Freeper has already said even if a single Ultra- Liberal Bishop in Germany has endorsed this -- there is no way you can blame the Catholic Church as a Whole.

[MILESJESU]

I know who you are talking about.

I guess you are talking about Bishop Gene Robinson from New Hampshire.

I am quite sure that neither the Pope nor all the Cardinals will endorse this nonsense nor will they ever endorse such Immorality.

[bornacatholic]

Maybe the Dad is spending all his time down at the performance boxes and is neglecting his duties

[jmaroneps37]

Germany is a constant reminder of what can and will happen to a civilized nation when it throws out religion, and worships man instead.

[needlenose_neely]

Freeper LifeSiteNews has conveniently left out an important fact that this is probably an ultra- liberal breakaway Group that has nothing to do with the Catholic Church.

You are bringing a false charge without having investigated.

Not only does the article identify the group involved, but goes on to clearly report that their actions are in opposition to the teachings of the Roman Catholic church.

The Catholic Women's group's Sabine Reichert explained in an interview with Deutsche Welle last year, "Every hut is fitted so that the driver has to get out on the side nearest to the wall, and the prostitute has the side with an exit into the street in case she has to get away in an emergency. There are red alarm buttons in every box that can be pressed."

The participation of the Catholic Women's group in the prostitution scheme is at odds with Catholic teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls prostitution "a social scourge" and notes that "it is always gravely sinful to engage in prostitution." Moreover, in numerous addresses, the late Pope John Paul II decried prostitution. In September 2004, speaking to the bishops of New Zealand, Pope John Paul specifically condemned the facilitation of prostitution. He pointed to "the distortion of reason by particular interest groups and exaggerated individualism" which leads to "the tragic consequences of . . . the facilitation of abortion and prostitution." (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/sep/04091304.html)

Therefore, I think it safe to assume that your kneejerk, paranoid reaction and false charge of the site and article being "anti-Catholic", and the article slanting things against the RCC have no basis in reality.