Film: Pastor takes care of former Socialist leader East Germany

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, pastor Uwe Holmer offered Erich Honecker, the former East German head of state, asylum. His story is told by the 90-minute film "Honecker und der Pastor", which Arte releases on March 18.

The film shows how Honecker lost his house and was persecuted for abuse of office after his Communist regime fell. In addition, he had cancer. After being arrested in the clinic where he received treatments, Honecker was transferred to the prison hospital. After being found unfit for imprisonment, he was released again Pro reports. As a homeless fugitive, Honecker knocks at the door of the Holmer family, which offers him shelter, even though the Communist regime had considered Holmer a class enemy because of his faith. Holmer believes it is his Christian duty to take in Honecker.

From the perspective of Cornelius, Holmer's youngest son, the film shows the challenges the family endures as a result of taking in Honecker Idea writes. The sensation-seeking press knocks on his door every day. In addition, many of Holmer's church members leave because they see Honecker as an enemy, and angry demonstrators protest in front of the parsonage. Yet, pastor Holmer says: "If we preach mercy, we have to live it out. Even when it is difficult to do so."

In total, Honecker stays with the Holmer family for ten weeks. Because of his serious health condition, court proceedings against the former head of East Germany are suspended. Honecker passed away in 1992.