The Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ) Diocese of Münster is raising objections to the planned awarding of the Josef Pieper Prize by the Josef Pieper Foundation to US Bishop Dr. Robert Barron.
The presentation is scheduled for July 27, 2025.
Concerns over Barron’s public positions
The BDKJ Diocesan Board argues that Robert Barron holds positions at odds with the federation’s commitment to democratic values.
In a public statement, Barron praised former US President Donald Trump’s order banning gender reassignment surgery for minors.
As part of his evangelisation work on social media, Barron also promotes, in their view, a vision shaped by political and religious extremism.
The BDKJ says this approach does not fit within its Christian‑Catholic identity.
Impact on young audiences
Digital media is a key arena where adolescents and young adults form opinions.
From the BDKJ’s perspective, Bishop Barron uses his platform not only to share Christian teaching but also to spread information whose accuracy is, at times, doubtful.
Some of his statements, they say, undermine fundamental Christian principles and challenge the democratic ideal of equality for all people.
This clash with core values is central to their objection.
Concerns over venues
The award ceremony will include a symposium at the Franz Hitze House Academy and a Pontifical Mass in the Überwasser Church at the Borromaeum Seminary.
The BDKJ Board questions the decision to use these three prominent venues.
They argue that each hosting institution should critically assess the values represented by the honouree before lending its platform.
This, they say, is part of genuine accountability in public church life.
Contradiction to democratic values
The BDKJ highlights its democracy campaign Mensch Münster! Leben Freiheit (People Münster! Live Freedom) as an example of how Christian groups can defend democracy.
Out of a Christian mandate, they promote charity, diversity and tolerance in pursuit of a just and open society.
By contrast, they point to Barron’s public opposition to gender diversity and his political ties to Donald Trump.
These actions, they argue, conflict with Paul’s reminder that “you are all one in Christ Jesus” — a call to unity in difference as well as similarity.
BDKJ’s stand for democracy
In spring 2025, the BDKJ Diocese of Münster and its member associations adopted a resolution titled Out of Christian Conviction for Democracy.
This statement affirmed support for a diverse, democratic society and rejected all forms of group‑based hostility.
Christians, they insist, cannot remain silent in the face of right‑wing extremism or populist ideology.
They call on Barron, the Josef Pieper Foundation and church leaders to make a clear stand for Christian and democratic values.
Alignment with extremist circles, they add, should be challenged — not celebrated.
Break with Pieper’s philosophy
In addition to his episcopal office, Robert Barron is known as a university professor and as an expert on the works of Münster philosopher Josef Pieper (1904–1997).
According to the Josef Pieper Foundation, the prize honours those who bring Pieper’s thought into conversation with contemporary religious, philosophical and social questions.
The BDKJ acknowledges Barron’s scholarly engagement with Pieper’s work.
Yet they argue his public statements restrict the freedoms of certain groups, creating a direct conflict with Pieper’s vision of human freedom.
This, they say, creates a serious tension between the award’s intent and the nominee’s record.
Josef Pieper’s legacy is one of freedom, and the BDKJ maintains that Bishop Barron’s conduct does not reflect that legacy.
- Catholic Conclave and the Federation of German Catholic Youth.
- Used with permission.
- The story in German.