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Cardinal Woelki under pressure: Lowest satisfaction ratings in Cologne!
Head of office Frank Hüppelshäuser criticizes journalists and surveys on satisfaction with Cardinal Woelki in the Archdiocese of Cologne.
Cardinal Woelki under pressure: Lowest satisfaction ratings in Cologne!
In a remarkable incident, the head of the Archdiocese of Cologne, Frank Hüppelshäuser, wrote an open letter against Joachim Frank, the chief reporter for the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (KStA). Hüppelshäuser criticizes Frank's reporting as "inhumane" and accuses him of discrediting both the archdiocese and Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. This letter was published on the archdiocese's website on July 11th and shows the tensions that exist among the public in Cologne. The head of the office believes that Frank is pursuing personal and economic interests, which is what has earned him his critical reporting on Woelki. However, this has received several awards.
Hüppelshäuser, who has been in office since 2023, also canceled his subscription to the KStA after more than 20 years. This step highlights the dissatisfaction within church representatives about the press coverage. The background is also the current protests against decisions by the archdiocese and the low satisfaction ratings with Woelki.
Survey results: Woelki under scrutiny
A current Forsa survey, published in the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, shows that only 3% of Cologne residents are satisfied with Cardinal Woelki's administration. An astonishing 83% of respondents said they were less or not at all satisfied with their work. This survey was conducted between June 25th and July 3rd and included 1,002 participants aged 16 and over. Forsa boss Manfred Güllner commented that such low approval ratings for leaders are extremely rare and compared them with a similar result from 2022.
The result is particularly shocking among 16 to 29 year olds: there is absolute dissatisfaction here - not a single respondent in this age group is satisfied with Woelki's administration. The survey casts a critical light on the archbishop's credibility and support among the city's young population.
Protests and notable events
At the same time, Cardinal Woelki inaugurated the new archbishop's educational campus in Cologne-Kalk, an educational institution worth 80 million euros. However, the opening was overshadowed by the aforementioned protests and leaves questions about the current emphasis on community work and social engagement in the archdiocese.
The situation surrounding Cardinal Woelki and the Archdiocese of Cologne remains tense, while the people of Cologne are increasingly distancing themselves from their church representatives. The coming months could be crucial in determining how the archdiocese evolves in the face of ongoing criticism and internal and external challenges.
For more information on the incidents and current developments, please refer to the reporting by Church and life, the statement of the Archdiocese of Cologne, as well as the comprehensive analysis Evangelisch.de.