After a performance by the cathedral choirboys towards the end of the liturgy, led by Archbishop Stephan Burger, applause broke out that lasted for several minutes.
Some protest shouts were then heard. Burger had to interrupt the Mass.
Catholic television station k-tv cut its broadcast and displayed the following message: “We ask for your understanding that due to deliberate disturbance of the service, the broadcast cannot continue.”
Once the situation in Freiburg Cathedral had calmed down, Burger was able to commence the blessing.
Dispute over dismissal of cathedral choirmaster
The background to the protest is the dismissal of Cathedral Choirmaster Boris Böhmann, who conducted the cathedral choirboys on Christmas Eve, dpa has learnt. He was notified in the summer that his contract would end in February 2025.
Reportedly, during the disruption, flyers were distributed in which Böhmann’s supporters demanded the withdrawal of the dismissal and asked for signatures for a petition. This is allegedly directed against the cathedral chapter of the archdiocese.
The petition states: “Among the approximately 300 affected singers of the cathedral music school, there is great uncertainty and dismay.
“Particularly for the children and adolescents of the cathedral choirboys, the guidance and community that provides orientation in an important developmental phase under his skilled pedagogical leadership is being lost …
“Even attempts by choir representatives to speak with the cathedral chapter due to the increasingly tense situation have in the past been fruitless.”
Archdiocese stands firm
The reason for the dismissal of the church musician was not disclosed by the archdiocese’s spokesman, Marc Mudrak, due to privacy concerns.
He stated, “From the diocese’s perspective, this was a deliberate disturbance.” He stated that the dismissal remains in effect.
Mudrak mentioned that the decision to dismiss had a long history and lead-up.
“There were numerous conflicts within the cathedral music school,” Mudrak said.
“There were repeated attempts at mediation, all of which failed.
“The Cathedral Fabric Fund ultimately had to make the difficult decision to dismiss the choirmaster.
“The decision was not taken lightly by anyone, but it was the last resort.”
He said it is understandable that the dismissal of a long-standing choir leader would cause unrest among members of the cathedral music.
“Due to data and personal protection, the Cathedral Fabric Fund cannot publicly disclose the individual reasons for the dismissal.
“Unfortunately, this has led to an imbalance in the debate, which all participants from the Cathedral Fabric Fund regret.
“However, the reasons for the dismissal were the subject of several employment court proceedings.”
Mudrak stated that repeated disturbances of services on Christmas Eve and Christmas were not a suitable form of protest.
“Many visitors, who have nothing to do with the conflict, were deliberately dragged into the confrontation. The protest was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
He added that conflicts and disagreements could not be resolved in this way, stating, “The situation highlights even more clearly that a fresh start in the leadership of the cathedral music is urgently needed.”
By Tatjana Bojic
