Notanker church asylum: When refugees are threatened with deportation, Christians sometimes open their doors. But if you stay in a monastery, for example, you are not automatically safe. And those who provide shelter can also end up in court.
Würzburg (dpa/lby) – More than a year after the conviction of a nun for granting church asylum in Lower Franconia, the appeal hearing begins on July 14. Both the accused and the public prosecutor’s office had appealed against the judgment of the Würzburg district court in June 2021 – the case is now being reopened before the district court, as a court spokesman announced. Only one day of negotiations is scheduled. A verdict may be forthcoming. An appeal to the Bavarian Supreme Regional Court would be possible against this decision.
The district court had issued a so-called warning with penalty reservation against the 39-year-old. As a condition, the sister should pay 500 euros to a non-profit organization. If she grants further sanctuary in the next two years or commits another crime, she faces an additional fine of 600 euros and a new criminal case – according to the verdict.
The prosecution wants to achieve a higher penalty for the woman, such as a fine, instead of a warning. The defense aims for an acquittal, as the defendant’s lawyer said.
The human rights officer at the Oberzell monastery near Würzburg had granted church asylum to two refugee women in order to protect them from forced prostitution and human trafficking, according to their own statements. Because she did not accept a penalty order and lodged an objection, the trial took place. The nun appealed to her conscience and faith before the district court.
The warning with penalty reservation relates to only one of the two alleged cases. The other case had been temporarily suspended at the request of the public prosecutor’s office due to open questions.
In February, the Bavarian Higher Regional Court in Bamberg, in a sensational decision, confirmed the acquittal of a monk from the Benedictine Abbey of Münsterschwarzach (Kitzingen district), who had saved a refugee in church asylum from deportation.
