German Church
The Latest
Critics challenge German Synodal Way in light of abuse study
A new study looking at survivors of abuse within the Evangelical Church in Germany calls into doubt the narrative that... Read more
German bishops conclude tense gathering with all eyes on Synod on Synodality in Rome
Conscious of mounting tensions and open defiance around certain issues, the assembly in Wiesbaden served as a charged prelude to... Read more
Religion is ‘interruption,’ not continuity, German bishops’ president says
Bishop Georg Bätzing spoke in a live-streamed Mass on Tuesday on the occasion of the bishops’ plenary assembly in Dulda,... Read more
German Catholic bishops welcome initiative seeking change in Church teaching on sexuality
The campaign criticized what it said were ‘defamatory and outdated’ expressions of Catholic doctrine. Read more
Pope Francis declines resignation of German Catholic archbishop
Hamburg Archbishop Stefan Heße announced in March that he was offering his resignation. Read more
German Catholic bishop proposes alternative ‘Synodal Way’ text
Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer presented the text on a new website. Read more
Cardinal Marx won’t rule out offering resignation for a 2nd time
Pope Francis declined the archbishop of Munich and Freising’s resignation in June. Read more
More than 220,000 people left the Catholic Church in Germany in 2020
The figure was lower than the record number set in 2019. Read more
Theologian: Germany’s practicing Catholics need more encouragement
“They are the avant-garde, and not the last of the Mohicans,” said Fr. Andreas Wollbold. Read more
Vatican cardinal urges unity with universal Church on Germany visit
Cardinal Parolin was marking the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and the Vatican. Read more
Pope Francis encourages us to continue on ‘Synodal Way,’ says German bishops’ leader after audience
Bishop Bätzing said he “made it clear that the rumors that the Church in Germany wants to go its own... Read more
Berlin Catholic archdiocese releases previously unpublished section of abuse report
Part C of the report presents the personnel files of 61 accused clerics. Read more
Girls’ choir to join 1,000-year boys’ choir at German Catholic cathedral
The Regensburger Domspatzen choir traces its roots back to the year 975. Read more
The German Synodal Way: A CNA explainer
The “Synodal Way” – in German: Synodaler Weg – is a controversial discussion process underway in Germany with the declared... Read more
Catholics submit ‘dubium’ to Vatican asking if Church in Germany is in schism
Three Catholics from the Diocese of Essen have formally requested a ruling from the Vatican’s doctrinal congregation. Read more
Pope Francis declines Cardinal Marx’s resignation
The pope asked the influential German cardinal to continue as archbishop of Munich and Freising. Read more
Cardinal Marx offers resignation to Pope Francis
“Without doubt, these are times of crisis for the Church in Germany,” the cardinal wrote to the pope. 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 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
Cardinal Ruini sees ‘risk of schism’ in Germany after Vatican ‘no’ to same-sex blessings
“I hope with all my heart that there will not be any schism, and I pray for this,” said the... Read more
