SOS Children's Villages: Debate on Renaming Started

Following the revelation of serious allegations of abuse against Hermann Gmeiner, the founder of SOS Children's Villages who passed away in 1986, there is now a discussion about the numerous centers, squares, and streets in Austria that bear his name. Renaming is being considered. The removal of monuments is also being contemplated - with two already dismantled in Imst.

In Imst, people are shocked by the allegations against Gmeiner

In Imst, Tyrol, where the first children's village was opened in 1951, people are shocked by the allegations against Gmeiner. Two monuments of the SOS Children's Village founder - a bronze statue in front of the Imst Johanneskirche, and one in front of the care center - have already been removed. They are kept under lock and key at the construction yard. Renaming of a street as well as the kindergarten and elementary school is also expected to follow. "There will be a complete break with everything related to his name," said Mayor Stefan Weirather (ÖVP) to APA on Friday.

Child abuse is "simply unacceptable," Weirather justified the steps. The possible revocation of the honorary citizenship of the city of Imst is also naturally on the table. "Since events are currently unfolding so rapidly and Gmeiner has been dead for a long time, we must first check whether he is even an honorary citizen," the mayor said. Weirather also emphasized to the "Tiroler Tageszeitung" that the current employees of SOS Children's Village are doing excellent work in some cases. They should be protected from "blanket condemnations."

Discussion in Vienna about renaming Hermann-Gmeiner-Park

In Vienna, there is also already a discussion about renaming Hermann-Gmeiner-Park located in the first district. Vienna's City Councillor for Culture, Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPÖ), expressed her support for a renaming to ORF Vienna. A prerequisite for this is an application from the district. They have indicated that a renaming is "inevitable" if the suspicion is confirmed. There is also a bust of Gmeiner in the park. The Greens already called for its removal on Friday.

In Graz, the idea of renaming Hermann-Gmeiner-Weg in the southwestern district of Straßgang is being met with openness. With today's knowledge, the path would not have been named after Gmeiner, he is no longer the ideal namesake, it was said upon inquiry from the office of Mayor Elke Kahr (KPÖ). Fortunately, it is only a very small path with few houses, so the effort would be minimal. There have been no reports of opposition. The city surveying office is responsible, and the matter would need to be decided by the city council, it was said.

SOS Children's Village: Debate on Renaming Fully Underway

The organization itself is also considering how to handle Gmeiner's legacy. The Carinthian outpatient clinics in Moosburg and Villach run by SOS Children's Village ("Hermann-Gmeiner-Centers") bear the founder's name. A change in designation is now being considered there as well, as a spokesperson explained to the "Kleine Zeitung".

In Pinkafeld, the SOS Children's Village might get a new address. Currently, it is still located on Hermann-Gmeiner-Straße, but that is likely to change if Mayor Kurt Maczek (SPÖ) has his way. He wants to bring up and discuss the topic of renaming in the city council. If the allegations against Gmeiner are true, it should definitely be considered, he stated in response to an APA inquiry, expressing his support for the renaming.

City Senate in Klagenfurt Involved

There is also a street in Klagenfurt named after Hermann Gmeiner. Next Tuesday, the members of the city senate will discuss a possible renaming in their meeting, a spokesperson for Mayor Christian Scheider (FSP) stated in response to an APA inquiry.

The founder of the SOS Children's Villages has been honored in numerous places. Streets or paths throughout Austria bear his name. According to the street directory of Statistics Austria, there are at least 14.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.