Even the German bishops scoff at Trump’s warning that “You’re gambling with the lives of millions”
By Manfred K. Böhm / Frankfurt, Germany
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with troops
US President Donald Trump
Europe is in danger. Why? Let us recall Donald Trump’s words to Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office: “You’re playing cards. You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people, you’re gambling with World War III.” (March 1, 2025).
These words were ignored by most media outlets (intentionally?). Instead, the dispute itself was their focus. But Trump is expressing a deep, serious concern: the high risk of world war.
This is the reason for Trump’s peace initiative. His predecessors, Obama and Biden, were the ones who really fueled the Ukraine conflict. If Trump continues American military support for Zelenskyy, the US, NATO countries and Russia would be dragged into an all-out (inevitably nuclear) war.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
With a few exceptions (Hungary and Slovakia), the EU states are continuing to push for war (independently of the US). European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to use €800 billion for armaments — a malicious policy against the European people.
Let us turn to Germany: There, the future Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), together with the Social Democrats and the Greens, has raised €1.8 trillion (!) “Sondervermögen,” i.e. special funds, thus incurring huge debt at the expense of the citizens — costs that German grandchildren and their children will have to pay off. A large portion of these billions is to be allocated to the German armaments sector.
Just recently, it was reported that even the automobile industry is now producing armaments: the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall wants to take over a VW factory.
The ruling politicians in Germany are not thinking about peace, but about continuing the Ukraine war — even about a direct confrontation with Russia. Militant propaganda now dominates the media and politics. It’s no wonder the Kremlin accuses Germany of planning attacks.
Last year, for example, the Christian Democrat Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU) demanded that “the war must be taken to Russia.” And there are repeated warnings that a major war with Russia will break out before the end of this decade.
Citizens are being prepared for war. For example, schoolchildren are being educated about war scenarios and protective measures. Hospitals are already training medical and nursing care for war victims. Commerce is also preparing for war: a German discount store is offering combat vests and bunkers for sale.
How is the Church in Germany responding to this warmongering? It’s typical of the “German Catholic Church” — including its bishops — to adapt to prevailing politics.
This was clearly seen in the Synodal Process, which, among other things, adopted the state-sponsored LGBTQ-ideology. So it’s not surprising that German bishops rarely criticize pro-war policies.
Quite the opposite: Trump’s peace initiative is hardly meeting approval in Germany. Pro-Trump-Americans and President Trump himself are even being reprimanded by the German episcopate.
German Cardinal Reinhard Marx
For example, German Cardinal Reinhard Marx scoffed at Trump’s inauguration speech, saying, “There is no golden age and similar things that only irritate people and lead them in the wrong ideological direction.”
Why didn’t the German bishops criticize the aggressive war policy of the Catholic Biden? Instead, voices among the German bishops favor arms deliveries; the Catholic military bishop calls for more spending on defense.
And then there is the Bavarian Bishops’ Conference statement: “Especially in view of the third anniversary of the start of the war on February 24, the thought that Ukraine, whose existence is threatened by the Russian aggressor, could possibly be left in the lurch is unbearable. A peace that is not linked to a just solution and the involvement of those affected will only lead to further dangers in the future.”
This is a swipe at the Trump/Vance peace initiatives!
So one could say that the Catholic Church in Germany is going along with the dominant political agenda of war. Where are the voices for de-escalation and diplomacy?
It is time to hearken to the words of Pope Francis and speak out against war and preparation for war; it is, as Francis said in a March 18 open letter, an “absurd” way to resolve conflicts.
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