There were loud protests at the Midnight Eucharist (24 December) in Freiburg Cathedral, Germany, presided over by Archbishop Stephan Burger.
The reason was the dismissal of the cathedral's music director, Boris Böhmann, 60, who had conducted the cathedral's choir boys on Christmas Eve. His contract will be terminated in February 2025.
After a hymn sung by the cathedral choir boys, there was minutes of demonstrative applause accompanied by chants and shouts - a show of solidarity for Böhmann.
Since 2003, Böhmann has been the choirmaster of Freiburg Cathedral and director of the Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir, the Freiburg Cathedral Chapel, the Freiburg Cathedral Choir and the Choral Schola.
In July 2024, seven years before his regular retirement date, he was dismissed from his position as cathedral director by his employer without giving a reason. The dismissal was upheld by the Labour Court.
The protests during the Eucharist were directed against the Archdiocese. During the Eucharist, leaflets in support of Böhmann were distributed.
Monsignor Burger, who was laughed at by those present, had to stop the Christmas Eucharist. A Catholic television station stopped broadcasting.
The four cathedral choirs led by Böhmann fought vehemently to keep their director.
According to media reports, Böhmann may have been sacked because of a dispute with the cathedral's female cantor over overlapping responsibilities.
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