Germany

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Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

Head of German Catholic bishops: ‘I do not deny Communion to a Protestant who asks for it’

Feb 26, 2021

The president of the German Catholic bishops’ conference said on Thursday that he would continue to give Holy Communion to... Read more

Beate Gilles, the new general secretary of the German bishops’ conference. Credit: Schnelle/Deutsche Bischofskonferenz.

German bishops’ conference elects first female general secretary

Feb 23, 2021

The theologian Beate Gilles was elected general secretary of the German bishops’ conference on Monday, becoming the first woman to... Read more

Pavica Vojnović takes part in a 40 Days for Life event in Pforzheim, Germany. Credit: ADF International.

Pro-life activists challenge German municipality’s prayer vigil ban

Feb 17, 2021

Pro-life activists are challenging a German municipality’s decision to ban them from praying in front of a pre-abortion advisory center.  Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in Rome on Oct. 23, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Vatican cardinal clashes with German theologian over ‘Eucharistic meal fellowship’

Feb 10, 2021

A Vatican cardinal has responded to a German theologian who criticized him for opposing a proposal for a “Eucharistic meal... Read more

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg. Credit: Diocese of Regensburg.

Catholic bishop: ‘Synodal Way’ procedures give impression of ‘authoritarian despotism’

Feb 4, 2021

A German Catholic bishop said on Wednesday that he detected an “authoritarian despotism” in the procedures of the country’s controversial... Read more

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. Credit: Jochen Rolfes/Archdiocese of Cologne.

German cardinal says he will keep promise to publish abuse report

Feb 4, 2021

A German cardinal facing calls to resign confirmed on Thursday that he would release an eagerly awaited report on abuse... Read more

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne. Credit: www.ewtn.de.

Confidentiality dispute piles pressure on cardinal accused of mishandling abuse cases

Jan 8, 2021

German media have criticized the Archdiocese of Cologne for offering to provide a “background briefing” to journalists about an unpublished... Read more

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne.

German cardinal asks Pope Francis to review his handling of abuse case

Dec 11, 2020

A German cardinal announced Friday that he would ask Pope Francis to review his handling of a clerical abuse case.  Read more

A German police officer in front of a crowd.

Catholic diocese prays for the dead and injured after car plows into pedestrians in Trier

Dec 1, 2020

A German Catholic diocese said Tuesday that it was praying for the dead and injured after a car plowed into... Read more

The beheaded statue at the Jesuit church in Straubing, Germany. Photo

Artist offers to restore beheaded statue of Virgin Mary in Germany

Nov 27, 2020

By Courtney Mares

An art restorer in Germany has offered to restore a decapitated statue of the Virgin Mary free of charge.  Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing. Courtesy: Diocese of Limburg.

Leading German Catholic bishop renews intercommunion call after Vatican objections

Nov 9, 2020

Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops' conference, reaffirmed Sunday his view that intercommunion with Protestants should be possible,... Read more

Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, pictured Oct. 24, 2019.

Vatican to discuss parish instructions with German bishops, not Synodal Way committee

Oct 26, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican has told the German Bishops’ Conference that a forthcoming meeting in Rome to discuss Germans’ concerns about the... Read more

The Frauenkirche, the cathedral of the German Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.

Munich archdiocese: Church tax income rises as record numbers depart

Oct 23, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The German Archdiocese of Munich and Freising announced Friday that it received 665 million euros in income from the church tax last... Read more

Bishop Heinz-Josef Algermissen.

Catholic bishop says Pope Francis is deeply concerned about German Church

Oct 9, 2020

Pope Francis has expressed “dramatic concern” about the Catholic Church in Germany, according to a bishop who met him this... Read more

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne.

German cardinal issues stark warning about ‘Synodal Way’

Sep 28, 2020

A German cardinal issued a stark warning Saturday about his country’s controversial “Synodal Way.”  Read more

The final press conference of the German bishops’ fall general assembly Sept. 24, 2020 in Fulda.

Germany’s Catholic bishops agree on uniform compensation system for abuse victims

Sep 25, 2020

Germany’s Catholic bishops agreed this week to a uniform system for compensation payments to abuse survivors.  Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in Rome on Oct. 23, 2019.

Vatican cardinal: Pope Francis ‘concerned’ about Church in Germany

Sep 22, 2020

A Vatican cardinal said Tuesday that Pope Francis has expressed concern about the Church in Germany.  Read more

The then Archbishop Luis Ladaria at the Vatican Sept. 8, 2015.

Vatican’s doctrinal office critiques German theologians’ intercommunion call

Sep 21, 2020

The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has criticized an appeal by German theologians for intercommunion between... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops’ conference in St. Peter’s Square, June 27, 2020.

German Catholic bishop dismisses cardinal’s fear that ‘Synodal Way’ could lead to split

Sep 18, 2020

The president of the German bishops’ conference dismissed Friday suggestions that the controversial “Synodal Way” could lead to a split... Read more

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer preaches in Regensburg Cathedral June 11, 2020.

German Catholic bishop criticizes ‘Synodal Way’ draft text on role of women

Sep 3, 2020

A Catholic bishop has sharply criticized a text produced by the German Church’s “Synodal Way” forum on the role of... Read more