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. The state of Tyrol is examining the revocation of awards. Mayors expressed shock.

In Imst, there is shock over the allegations against Gmeiner

In Imst in Tyrol, where the first children's village was opened in 1951, there is shock over 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 a street as well as the kindergarten and elementary school is also planned. "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 added. Weirather also emphasized that the current employees of SOS Children's Village are doing excellent work in some cases. They should be protected from "blanket condemnations." The mayor of the district capital criticized the information policy of the SOS Children's Village leadership: "That such information was kept secret for a long time is not satisfactory." The SOS Children's Village in Imst would function like a "crystal ball," where issues were not communicated externally.

Tyrol initiates revocation review for awards

Consequences for the deceased native of Vorarlberg, Gmeiner, are also being considered at the state level. The state of Tyrol has initiated a "revocation review" regarding the awards given to Gmeiner, as stated on Friday to APA. The SOS Children's Village founder was awarded the "Ring of the State of Tyrol" in 1980 - the highest award that requires a resolution of the state parliament. Gmeiner had already received the honorary badge of the state in 1959. The Tyrolean State Award Act stipulates that an award is deemed revoked by law in the event of a final conviction for criminal acts against sexual integrity and self-determination or is posthumously revoked if facts become known afterward that would have opposed the award. "The allegations in question are undoubtedly incompatible with an honor by the state of Tyrol," it was stated from the state house regarding the current case. The allegations make a reassessment of the awards "urgently necessary." The respective committees must be considered for a reversal of the awards, it was emphasized.

The state is "deeply affected" by the allegations. "The allegations must be taken seriously and fully clarified. The state of Tyrol has already requested the management of SOS Children's Village in Tyrol to provide all relevant data on any cases in Tyrol," the statement said.

Discussion in Vienna about renaming Hermann-Gmeiner-Park

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

In Graz, there is openness to the idea of renaming the Hermann-Gmeiner-Weg in the southwestern district of Straßgang. 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, 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 stated.

SOS Children's Village: Debate on Renaming Fully Underway

The organization itself is also considering how to deal with Gmeiner's legacy. The Carinthian outpatient clinics in Moosburg and Villach ("Hermann-Gmeiner-Centers") run by SOS Children's Village bear the founder's name. A change of designation is also being considered there, 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 himself spoke out in favor of the renaming upon APA inquiry.

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 upon APA inquiry.

The founder of 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.

Salzburg's City Government Also Examines Renaming

In the city of Salzburg, the city government will also thoroughly discuss the issue. "The allegations raised in the media against the SOS Children's Village founder Hermann Gmeiner have deeply shocked me. Should the extent of the reported accusations be confirmed, I see an urgent need for action. In such a case, it is our responsibility to act consistently and set clear signs - from my point of view, there is no way around a renaming," said Mayor Bernhard Auinger (SPÖ). He announced talks with representatives of SOS Children's Village as well as other cities and municipalities that are also dealing with the issue of street and park naming. According to Auinger, direct exchange with the residents of Hermann-Gmeiner-Straße is also important in this matter.

The mayor of the municipality of Seekirchen am Wallersee in the Salzburg Flachgau, Konrad Pieringer (ÖVP), said upon inquiry that he did not want to comment on the matter because he did not know the facts. In Seekirchen, there is also an SOS Children's Village on a street named after the founder.

Additional Signs in St. Pölten

In St. Pölten, where there is a Hermann-Gmeiner-Gasse, reference was made to planned additional signs upon inquiry. These are to be installed in the future for so-called "burdened street names" - but also for particularly positively connoted names - and will inform about the relevant persons via QR code. "We are taking our own St. Pölten approach, which allows us to bring resistance fighters, Nazi victims, and personalities who have made positive contributions to the awareness of the population," it was communicated. The proposal will be submitted to the municipal council for resolution at its next meeting, it was said.

In Hinterbrühl (district of Mödling), a discussion is to be held about renaming Dr. Hermann Gmeiner-Gasse and Hermann-Gmeiner-Schule. It is important to act "with reason and prudence" and at the same time in accordance with the findings of today's time, said Mayor Erich Moser (ÖVP) to the APA.

Home Municipality Also Considers Steps

Hermann Gmeiner was also honored with numerous accolades in his home state of Vorarlberg. He is an honorary citizen of his birthplace Alberschwende. There, the community hall is named after him, and a monument also commemorates him. "The image of Hermann Gmeiner, shaped over decades, has been severely shaken by the allegations from the current reports. The allegations cast a large shadow over the life's work of Hermann Gmeiner," stated Mayor Klaus Sohm in a release on Friday. The community will thoroughly consider how to deal with their honorary citizen. They hope for a complete clarification in the interest of those affected.

In Dornbirn, a park and a path are dedicated to Gmeiner, and according to media reports, the city is now considering how to handle this. Gmeiner also received the Golden Decoration of Honor of the State of Vorarlberg in 1974. Revocation of the highest Vorarlberg state award is possible for living persons under certain conditions, but a posthumous revocation is not legally provided for.

The Greens have been criticizing this for some time concerning the Nazi-loyal writer Natalie Beer, who received the Silver Decoration of Honor in 1975. The discussion - a change has so far been rejected by ÖVP and FPÖ - could now gain momentum again due to the Gmeiner case. The SPÖ also demanded a legal amendment on Friday that would allow for a posthumous revocation in justified cases.

Federal States Expect "Full Transparency"

The child and youth welfare representatives of the federal states expressed themselves as "deeply affected" by the recently known allegations at their meeting in Salzburg on Friday. The conference "expects full transparency and cooperation from SOS Children's Villages. This also includes the immediate and comprehensive provision of all documents necessary for a fundamental review," it says in a joint statement.

Salzburg's Social Councillor Wolfgang Fürweger (FPÖ) went further in a release: On behalf of his federal state, he demanded, firstly, a public apology "without excuses and without PR formulations. An honest and personal acknowledgment of the suffering is long overdue." Secondly, he demands a complete and transparent investigation. From this, a sustainable safety and control system must emerge that excludes new incidents. "Clarifying does not mean appeasing, but eliminating grievances once and for all," said Fürweger. And thirdly, the state expects a complete final report with clear structural measures by the end of 2026.

(APA/Red)

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