Kirsten Fehrs Elected as EKD Chair Amidst Criticism Over Abuse Handling

The newly elected leader of Germany's Protestant church faces scrutiny over her approach to addressing sexual abuse allegations.

Kirsten Fehrs received 97 out of 130 votes to become the EKD's official chair after serving in an interim capacity for a year.
Fehrs' election was overshadowed by allegations of mishandling abuse cases, although external reviews found no misconduct on her part.
The church faces pressure to implement reforms following a major study that revealed widespread sexual abuse within its ranks.
Fehrs has committed to addressing the challenges of declining membership and financial constraints while emphasizing dialogue and empathy.
Victims and advocates continue to demand faster and more transparent processes for dealing with abuse cases and compensation.