A vibrant church service in Heidelberg, Germany, dedicated to Taylor Swift, attracted over a thousand attendees, many of them young people. The Church of the Holy Spirit organized the event to engage the younger generation by reflecting on and performing the spiritual lyrics of the famous American singer-songwriter.
Named “Anti Hero” after one of Swift’s hits, the service was organized by the church’s priest, Vincenzo Petracca. He was “completely shocked” when tickets sold out just two hours after they were made available. Due to the high demand, the church held two services to accommodate everyone.
Fr. Vincenzo, who also DJs in his spare time, believes that the church has valuable answers to life’s important questions but often communicates them in ways that don’t resonate with younger generations. He noted, “It’s not their language.” To prepare for the event, he listened to all of Swift’s eleven albums to select the most suitable songs. “Some of her songs are brimming with metaphors, her writing really touched me. I am a Swiftie now,” he added.
The event sparked debate about Swift’s stance on Christianity, as her lyrics contain varied references to religion. Raised in a Christian home in America’s Bible Belt, Swift has mentioned Jesus, praying, and faith in her songs. However, her recent lyrics, such as those in “The Tortured Poets Department,” have faced criticism. For instance, in “But Daddy I Love Him,” she sings, “Sarahs and Hannahs in their Sunday best / Clutchin’ their pearls, sighing, ‘What a mess.'” In “Guilty As Sin,” she questions, “What if I roll the stone away? / They’re gonna crucify me anyway.”
Despite the debate, it is clear that Swift frequently uses religious symbolism in her work. The Church of the Holy Spirit hopes that events like this can help address the decline in attendance that both Protestant and Catholic churches in Germany have experienced over the past 25 years. By attracting more young people, the church aims to reverse this trend.
Heidelberg Pastor Christof Ellsiepen emphasized the church’s commitment to engaging with the younger generation, saying, “The Church of the Holy Spirit has always been a place of encounter and exchange. That’s why a pop-music religious service fits so perfectly. We are giving space to the questions and issues that occupy the younger generation.”
