Germany
The Latest
Pope Francis orders apostolic visitation of Cardinal Woelki’s Cologne archdiocese
Apostolic visitors will evaluate “possible mistakes” by the cardinal and archdiocesan officials. Read more
Bosnian cardinal: Synodal Way’s ‘exotic ideas’ alien to a Church that survived communism
Cardinal Vinko Puljić said: “We cannot understand a Church in which sacrifice is a foreign word.” Read more
German Catholic, Protestant leaders share communion at ecumenical event
The gathering took place amid a controversy about intercommunion that drew the Vatican’s attention. Read more
Benedict XVI to minor seminary: What has withered in Germany still blossoms in Poland
The 94-year-old pope emeritus was writing to the minor seminary in Częstochowa. Read more
Parents detect disgraced sexologist’s theories in German Church’s abuse commission report
A parents’ association claimed that text contained theories linked to psychologist Helmut Kentler. Read more
Court upholds German municipality’s pro-life prayer vigil ban
The court dismissed a challenge to a ban on a prayer vigil in front of a pre-abortion advisory center. Read more
German Catholic bishops’ leader: ecumenical event ‘not about intercommunion’
Bishop Georg Bätzing insisted that the church services attended by both Catholics and Protestants would be “ecumenically sensitive.” Read more
Court hears pro-life challenge to German municipality’s prayer vigil ban
In 2019, the municipality in Pforzheim, southwest Germany, denied pro-lifers permission to hold vigils near a pre-abortion advisory center. Read more
German foreign minister welcomes day of same-sex blessings ahead of papal audience
Heiko Maas backed the blessing ceremonies held in around 80 German cities on May 10. Read more
German Catholics defy Vatican with blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples
Ceremonies took place in around 80 cities, though the precise number of services is unknown. Read more
Father Weinandy: ‘If the German Synodal Way is not heading for schism, it has fooled a lot of people’
The theologian made the comment after the German bishops’ leader said the country’s Catholics were not “schismatics.” Read more
German Catholic group calls on bishops to unite with Rome
The appeal came ahead a day of protest in Germany against the Vatican’s “no” to same-sex blessings. Read more
German Catholic diocese hosts event declaring same-sex blessings a case of ‘not if, but how’
The Diocese of Essen held the conference ahead of a nationwide event defying the Vatican’s “no” to same-sex blessings. Read more
German Catholic bishops’ leader: We are not ‘schismatics’
Bishop Bätzing said the German Church remains close to Rome, despite tensions over same-sex blessings, Communion for Protestants, and the... Read more
German cardinal takes further action in wake of independent abuse report
A German cardinal has announced further action following the release of a long-awaited independent report on the handling of abuse... Read more
More than 200 German-speaking theology professors criticize Vatican ‘no’ to same-sex blessings
More than 200 theology professors in the German-speaking world have signed a statement criticizing the Vatican’s rejection of blessings for... Read more
English Catholic bishop fears Germany’s ‘Synodal Path’ will lead to ‘de facto schism’
An English Catholic bishop has said he fears that the German Church’s “Synodal Way” will lead to a “de facto... Read more
Catholics and Protestants in Germany announce intercommunion move despite Vatican objections
Catholics and Protestants in Germany have announced that they will press ahead with intercommunion at an event in May despite... Read more
Survey: One in three Catholics in Germany thinking of leaving Church
One in three Catholics in Germany is thinking of leaving Church, according to a new survey. Read more
Leading German Catholic bishop cautions priests against intercommunion
A leading German Catholic bishop has cautioned priests against intercommunion with Protestants during an ecumenical event in May. Read more
