About 500 people attended the church, German daily Bild reported. Superintendent Dieter Bankmann spoke out against the knife attack being “politically exploited by right-wing circles”.
“We are the ones affected,” said Bankmann. He thought it was harmful that the commitment of many people to the common good was being maligned.
On Christmas Eve a dispute between asylum seekers had escalated at the celebration for the needy in the parish and community centre in Aue-Bad Schlema. Helper Mike W. (51) tried to intervene and suffered a stab wound.
The man is still in hospital, but he is now feeling better. “During a visit, he emphasised that he does not feel any hatred and will continue his volunteer work,” the church community said.
The stepfather of the victim also spoke to the congregation, saying: “Mike is doing better. His lungs are damaged and will remain so for a long time. The spleen is pierced.” He went on to say, “We need to think about our internal security in the church.”
A 53-year-old Syrian is currently in custody, although the media maintains that it is still unclear exactly who stabbed the volunteer.
An NPD councilman called for a demonstration after the attack. According to police, about 2200 angry Germans gathered at the Altmarkt [Old Market] in Aue on Saturday evening shortly after the peace prayer.
Delegations from the right-wing association Pro-Chemnitz and the right-wing mini-party Der Dritte Weg [The Third Way] were alos present. Some demonstrators raised German flags.
“We protest against using this crime as an excuse to consider all foreigners as potential perpetrators of violence. For this terrible act of a migrant is countered by countless good experiences with migrants,” the website of the local authority said on Saturday.