Cologne priest Franz Meurer honored with Mevlüde Genç Medal for promoting social cohesion

Cologne priest Franz Meurer has been honored with the Mevlüde Genç Medal for his extensive work in fostering social cohesion. Minister-President Hendrik Wüst presented the award, praising Meurer as a "bridge builder for humanity." Wüst emphasized Meurer's role in connecting diverse groups, including established residents with newcomers, Christians with Muslims, and individuals from varied life backgrounds.

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You build bridges between old-timers and newcomers, between Christians and Muslims, between people with very different life stories.

"You build bridges between old-timers and newcomers, between Christians and Muslims, between people with very different life stories," Wüst stated during the ceremony. He highlighted the invaluable nature of Meurer's commitment to peaceful coexistence, particularly in an era marked by rising societal tensions and increasing polarization.

Meurer, born in Cologne in 1951 and ordained a priest in 1978, has been a prominent figure in the social and community life of the city's Vingst and Höhenberg districts for many years. He is also known to many through his radio devotions on WDR 2. The award acknowledges his dedication to combating hate, which Wüst described as growing louder and more present, manifesting in xenophobia, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.

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Hate is the greatest enemy of peaceful coexistence.

The Mevlüde Genç Medal, established by the North Rhine-Westphalia state government in 2018, commemorates the 1993 Solingen arson attack. It is awarded for outstanding contributions to tolerance, intercultural reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence among religions. Last year's recipient was former German national football team captain Ilkay Gündoğan.

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Hate is like a growing black hole that sucks up and devours all good things.