Federal President Horst Köhler´s first honorary godchild in New York
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- (© Germany.info)
According to the principle of honorary godparenthood, the Federal President of Germany, Horst Köhler, sponsors a family’s seventh child.
On July 3, 2008 Karin Kluger, a German citizen, who has been living in New York since 1986, gave birth to her seventh son, Joshua Ludwig.
Originally from Hannover, Mrs. Kluger and her husband moved from Manhattan to Spring Valley, when their family grew bigger. Now that the family is taking care of seven children, Mrs. Kluger applied for honorary godparenthood for Joshua at the German Consulate General.
The institution of honorary godparenthood is primarily symbolic. It cannot be compared with the godparenthood assumed at a child's christening. In becoming a child's godparent, the Federal President is emphasizing the state's special responsibility for the welfare of large families, as well as the importance of the family and children to the community as a whole. The intention is also to point out the problems of large families, and to encourage cities and local communities to offer help and support. Another purpose is to raise the social status of families with a large number of children.
Dr. Andreas Zimmer, head of the legal and consular section, welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Kluger and Joshua to the German Consulate General on May 15, 2009. On behalf of the Federal President, Horst Köhler, he handed a certificate, a signed photograph and a gift of the President to the parents. The one-time gift of € 500 serves as a gesture of support, and an encouragement to large families, like the Klugers. Thanks to the initiative of his mother, Joshua became the Federal President’s first godchild in New York.
Article by Friederike Faust
