Bangladesh, April 7 -- In the tranquil Bavarian district of Regen, a local Catholic parish has become the unlikely epicenter of a national debate on faith, political tolerance, and the boundaries of ideological affiliation. A young altar boy, who had faithfully served the church for nine years, was recently dismissed after sharing a photo taken with a member of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The case, first reported by Passauer Neue Presse, has sparked outrage and reflection in equal measure, not just within religious circles but across German society.

The controversy began when the teenager, a devout Catholic with an interest in politics, attended a campaign event ahead of the federal elections. There, he posed for ...