German Catholic Bishop Ludger Schepers Condemns Crackdown and Arrests of LGBT People in Turkey
In early October 2026, Auxiliary Bishop Ludger Schepers of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Essen, who serves as the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) liaison commissioner for queer pastoral care, strongly condemned the recent wave of police raids and arrests targeting the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey. He emphasized that fundamental human rights are non-negotiable and must be upheld for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
According to a report by New Ways Ministry , citing the German Catholic News Agency KNA (Katholische Nachrichten-Agentur), Bishop Schepers voiced grave concern over the situation confronting sexual minorities in Turkey, where fear for personal safety has become a daily reality. “When people fear for their safety and freedom simply because they are who they are and love whom they love, then that affects the entire society,” Schepers stated. Highlighting essential Christian principles regarding human dignity, he added: “Human rights are non-negotiable. They apply to every human being, everywhere and without exception, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Every creature of God possesses an inviolable dignity that must be protected.” The prelate expressed deep respect and solidarity with those in Turkey who continue to advocate publicly for human rights despite intense repression.
The bishop’s statement follows a widespread operation conducted by Turkish law enforcement under the name “My Family Is Safe” (Ailem Güvende), launched in mid-September across 15 provinces. Security forces carried out raids on private residences, gay bars, and offices of civil society groups, including Kaos GL, one of Turkey’s oldest LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. Judicial authorities opened criminal proceedings against 162 individuals, nine non-profit associations, and 13 commercial businesses, while courts ordered the blocking of dozens of relevant websites and social media accounts.
Turkish government authorities maintain that the ongoing enforcement measures are legitimate and necessary. The Ministry of Justice and state officials contend that the operation is designed to “protect the institution of the family, children, and public order,” as well as investigate alleged violations of the Law on Associations and unregulated foreign financing of non-governmental groups.
The 73-year-old Ludger Schepers has served as auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Essen in western Germany since 2008. In February 2024, the German Bishops’ Conference created the position of Commissioner for Queer Pastoral Care for the first time in its history and appointed Schepers to the post. The bishop has repeatedly advocated for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics in church life, endorsed amending the German Basic Law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual identity, and criticized conservative prelates for stigmatizing minorities.
Previously, Urania reported extensively on the launch of the “We Want Freedom” coalition campaign by Turkish human rights activists following the mass arrests, the court-ordered blocks on LGBTQ+ platforms and independent media in Turkey , and the controversies surrounding liturgical guidelines for blessing same-sex couples approved by the German Bishops’ Conference.
