A Christmas Eve service at Freiburg Cathedral turned chaotic as hundreds of worshippers protested against the dismissal of choir director Boris Böhmann, who has led the cathedral's choirs for over two decades. The liturgy, overseen by Archbishop Stephan Burger, had to be interrupted after members of the congregation erupted in applause and shouts of support during the service.
The incident occurred shortly after the Dom Boys finished performing, prompting several minutes of enthusiastic applause. Witnesses noted this was not merely spontaneous but clearly organized support for Böhmann, who was unexpectedly dismissed without explanation to take effect by the end of February 2025.
According to Badische Zeitung, the choir's supporters had distributed flyers before the service, calling for the immediate reversal of Böhmann’s termination. The protest was recorded live, but the broadcast by church-affiliated network k-tv was abruptly cut off, citing "willful disruption of the service." Attempting to continue, Archbishop Burger was reportedly greeted with laughter, indicating the level of dissatisfaction present.
This public outcry reflects underlying unrest over Böhmann's firing, which his supporters argue has left around 300 singers feeling insecure and disoriented. “The collapse of this supportive community during such important developmental phases is devastating,” stated one of the flyers promoting the petition against his dismissal. “His pedagogical leadership has created significant stability for our boys,” it concluded.
Marc Mudrak, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Freiburg, expressed regret over the unrest but maintained the decision to terminate Böhmann was imperative due to unresolved conflicts within the choir community and repeated failed attempts to find common ground with dissenting members. Citing privacy concerns, Mudrak declined to provide specific reasons for Böhmann's firing, which he affirmed had been a subject of multiple labor court proceedings.
During the disruption, some attendees shouted against the Archbishop, prompting him to pause the liturgy and make attempts to quell the audience’s reactions. With tensions continuing to mount, the event culminated not only with chants supporting Böhmann but also significant discontent directed toward church authorities.
Commenting on the protest, Mudrak described the timing as “inappropriate,” asserting, “Such disputes should not spill over to disrupt worship for visitors utterly disconnected from the issue at hand.” He emphasized the urgent need for reforming the leadership within the cathedral's music program.
Before the service ended, Archbishop Burger managed to address the congregation again, but his words were drowned out by applause and chanting. Support for Böhmann remains strong, with various church choirs and university professors from Freiburg voicing their discontent. “This is the wrong way to address conflicts,” continued Mudrak. “Resolutions must come from dialogue, not disruptions.
The magnitude of the protest has ignited widespread debate within the community about the treatment of church musicians and the transparency of church governance. Many parishioners sympathetic to Böhmann's plight have voiced their dismay over perceived bureaucratic decision-making processes overshadowing artistic and communal values.
This Christmas Eve incident not only disrupted what is traditionally a serene evening of worship but has also opened discussions on the future of liturgical practices amid growing disillusionment with church leadership. The atmosphere within Freiburg Cathedral still buzzes with uncertainty as supporters work tirelessly to advocate for Böhmann's return, indicating potentially lasting impact both within the congregation and broader ecclesiastical relationships.
