The most unusual bishop in the world lives in Swabia

He holds perhaps the most unusual episcopal office in the world: Yassir Eric is the head of hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of people who have converted from Islam to Christianity. The believers in his care are spread across around 80 countries. And his episcopal see is located in Korntal near Stuttgart.

In mid-March, the Anglican Church elevated the 52-year-old to the episcopate in Rwanda's capital Kigali. This makes Eric the global face of ex-Muslims who have become Christians, so-called "Muslim Background Believers".

They feel connected to the "Communio Messianica" ("Messianic Community") founded by Eric. His "pastoral care district", which he serves together with an international team, extends from West Africa to the Middle East and Central Asia to Indonesia. The focus is on people who suffer serious disadvantages, often even severe persecution, because of their conversion to the Christian faith in Muslim-majority countries.

Danger to life

The situation for converts in these regions is tricky. They are often disowned by their families - and in many places they also lose everything that the social system in other countries provides. In countries such as Somalia, Yemen or Iran, they have to reckon with the fact that their lives are at stake. Such countries trample on the right to religious freedom enshrined by the United Nations, which includes the right to change one's faith.

But even in Egypt, where the Coptic Church has its historically traditional place in society, conversions are not permitted. An existing church is allowed to practise its faith, but converting from Islam to Christianity is taboo and can land the person concerned in prison. This also means that converts in such countries cannot simply join an existing church. They lack a community that gives them a home. As a global church, "Communio Messianica" wants to offer them this spiritual home.

Yassir Eric knows what he is talking about, he is a convert himself. He was born in Sudan into an influential Muslim fundamentalist family and attended a strict Koran school for two years. When he became a Christian, he was met with hatred from the clan and the authorities and was even temporarily sent to prison.

From Egypt to Germany

He has lived in Germany since 1999, married a Swabian woman, now has German citizenship and works as the director of the European Institute for Migration, Integration and Islam in Korntal. Prior to this, he looked after Arab Protestant communities in Baden-Württemberg for almost two decades.

The doctor of theology emphasises that he does not see himself in a religious war. "We are not Islamophobes," he says. All he demands for his globally scattered flock of Christians with a Muslim background is peace and religious freedom. Muslim societies should realise that Christians are not against them, but actually become "better citizens" through their faith, he believes.

There are various reasons why Yassir Eric ended up with the Anglicans. It is a church that sees itself in a historical tradition dating back to the beginnings of Christianity. It is recognised in the ecumenical movement and has a global network. Officially, Eric now belongs to the Anglican Bishops' Conference in Rwanda, but he has no obligations in the country. What is important to him is that he has to answer to Archbishop Laurent Mbanda in his work - "he offers me spiritual guidance".

Only secret meetings

Converts from Islam are often unable to organise themselves in Muslim countries and meet in secret. Yassir Eric therefore has no idea how many people he is actually responsible for - there are no official members of the "Communio Messianica". He sees it as his task to be a voice for persecuted Christians.

Just as the Pope stands up for persecuted Catholic priests, he wants to improve the situation of persecuted Christians with a Muslim background - and the office of bishop helps with this. Eric wants to give the converts hope through visits. In addition, their Christian identity is to be strengthened through teaching materials and conferences as well as personal support and pastoral care. The motto of "Communio Messianica" is: "You are not alone".