“Give me the children until they are 7 and anyone may have them afterward.” That startling statement by Francis Xavier is still strong on the minds of Catholic and Bavarian leaders. The co-founder of the Jesuit order would be pleased that the Vatican formally ratified a new concordat with Bavaria last week.

Bavarian Premier Edmund Stoiber and Archbishop Erwin Josef Ender, apostolic nuncio to Germany, signed the ratification at a ceremony June 8. The agreement governs the teaching of Catholic theology in the German state. Such concordats are used by the Vatican to maintain Catholic influence in the secular world.

This is one of Stoiber’s most recent maneuvers to enhance Bavaria’s relationship with the Roman Catholic Church.

Although the premier failed to garner the German chancellorship in 2002, the Trumpet continues to watch this leader closely. Editor in chief Gerald Flurry has written that Stoiber may well yet vault into power over Germany and even the European Union itself.

This concordat demonstrates Stoiber’s desire to maintain Bavaria’s strong connection with the Vatican. By ensuring a strong Catholic influence in Bavaria’s education system, Stoiber ensures that another generation of good Catholics will follow the German leader—whether himself or another—who has the support of the Catholic Church.

For more information on Stoiber and his link to the Vatican, read “Continue to Watch Stoiber.”