Germany

The Latest

After CDF letter, German bishops' next assembly to explore intercommunion

Jun 27, 2018

Following months of controversy, the German bishops' conference have said they will further explore, in accordance with a letter from... Read more

Austrian nuncio laments Church opposition to crosses on Bavarian state buildings

May 2, 2018

The apostolic nuncio to Austria said Tuesday that he is “saddened and ashamed” that bishops and priests have been vocal... Read more

In Bavaria, government buildings will display a cross over their entrance

Apr 24, 2018

The government of Bavaria has decided to instruct all state administrative buildings in the German state to display a cross... Read more

Police stand near the site of a van attack on a crowd of pedestrians in Muenster, Germany April 7, 2018.

Muenster bishop offers prayers for victims of van attack

Apr 7, 2018

Bishop Felix Genn of Muenster, Germany called for prayers Saturday, after a man drove a delivery vehicle into a crowd... Read more

Cardinal Karl Lehmann.

Cardinal Karl Lehmann, influential German prelate, dies at 81

Mar 11, 2018

By Elise Harris

Cardinal Karl Lehmann, Archbishop Emeritus of Mainz and one of the most prominent leaders in the German Church known for... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx.

Updated: Cardinal Marx discusses blessings for same-sex couples

Feb 7, 2018

The president of the German Bishops’ Conference has said that, in his view, "there are no general solutions" regarding the... Read more

Frankfurt Church leader supports plan for same-sex blessings

Jan 24, 2018

A German bishop’s proposal that the Catholic Church could provide blessing ceremonies for gay couples, as well as divorced and... Read more

Pope Francis meets with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Oct. 9, 2017.

Migration, Reformation center of Pope's meeting with German president

Oct 9, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Monday Pope Francis met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Vatican for a conversation focused largely on migration and... Read more

Cardinal Joachim Meisner, who died July 5, 2017 at the age of 83.

Cardinal Joachim Meisner, one of four 'dubia’ cardinals, dies at age 83

Jul 5, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop emeritus of Cologne, Germany and one of four cardinals who sent the "dubia" to Pope Francis... Read more

The Reichstag building in Berlin, wherethe Bundestag meets.

German bishops criticize parliament's approval of gay marriage

Jun 30, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Archbishop Heiner Koch of Berlin expressed his regret Friday at the German parliament’s vote in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage,... Read more

German family continues to fight for right to homeschool

Apr 11, 2017

In August 2013, a group of 20 police officers and social workers stormed the home of Petra and Dirk Wunderlich... Read more

Screenshot of the artist doing pushups on the altar.

Artist performs pushups on altar, posts video, gets fined.

Jan 19, 2017

A German artist was fined after doing 27 pushups on a Catholic altar and posting a video of the stunt... Read more

Blue light of a police car.

Bishops mourn victims of deadly truck detour on Berlin Christmas market

Dec 20, 2016

By Elise Harris

After 12 people were killed when a truck rammed into crowds at a Berlin Christmas market, the German bishops have... Read more

Participants in the 2016 March for Life in Berlin.

March for life in Berlin draws thousands

Sep 17, 2016

More than 7,500 people took part in the annual March for Life in Berlin on Saturday, under the motto: “No... Read more

Pope Francis at the Vatican, April 3, 2014.

Pope responds to violence in Munich and Kabul with call for more prayer

Jul 24, 2016

By Ann Schneible

On Sunday, Pope Francis responded to recent acts of violence in Germany and Afghanistan, expressing his closeness to the families... Read more

Mourners in Munich after a July 22, 2016 shooting spree at the Olympia Mall.

Munich archbishop, Benedict XVI grieve deadly shooting

Jul 23, 2016

By Ann Schneible

The archbishop of Munich has called for prayers for the victims of Friday’s deadly shooting at a shopping mall, and... Read more

A regional train in Germany.

Local bishop expresses dismay over German train attack

Jul 19, 2016

In the wake of Monday night's terror attack by an Afghan Islamist on a train and pedestrians in Würzburg, the... Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein at the Vatican Press Conference presenting the CD Cantate Domino by Sistine Chapel on Sept. 29, 2015.

Archbishop Ganswein calls German Church Tax 'a serious problem'

Jul 18, 2016

Archbishop Georg Ganswein has criticized the German Church Tax process, calling its handling of people opting out of the controversial... Read more

German bishops release new figures: fewer churchgoers, parishes, and priests

Jul 16, 2016

Figures released Friday by the German bishops' conference draw a bleak picture of the ongoing decline of Catholicism in Germany.  Read more

Cardinals talk after the consistory on November 24, 2012 in St. Peter's Basilica.

German prelate breaks rank with Cardinal Marx, insists on fidelity to Rome

Mar 24, 2015

A German cardinal has publicly opposed the words of two other German bishops who have suggested that the nation’s Church... Read more