Catholic Church in Germany

The Latest

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne.

Vatican backs Cardinal Woelki over abuse study contracts

May 3, 2022

By CNA Staff

The embattled German cardinal welcomed what he said was the ‘good news from Rome.’ Read more

Bishop Franz Jung of Würzburg, Germany.

After backlash, German diocese stops working with Planned Parenthood affiliate

Apr 21, 2022

By CNA Staff

It is unclear why a Catholic bishop chose a pro-abortion organization to assist with counseling victims of sexual abuse. Read more

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone

Cordileone on signing letter to German bishops: ‘Christ’s teaching is timeless’

Apr 13, 2022

By CNA Staff

“The teaching of Christ is timeless. It's not bound by any one generation, any one time or culture,” Archbishop Salvatore... Read more

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German diocese hires self-identified transgender man to teach religious ed

Apr 8, 2022

By CNA Staff

A German diocese has granted a biological female who identifies as a transgender man permission to teach Catholic religion to... Read more

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Catholic youth organizations urge end to Germany's ban on abortion ads

Apr 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ), an umbrella organization of Catholic children's and youth associations, has spoken in favor... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing at the closing press conference of the spring plenary meeting of the German bishops’ conference.

German Catholic bishops’ leader replies to Nordic bishops’ ‘Synodal Way’ critique

Apr 5, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Nordic bishops cautioned against ‘capitulation to the Zeitgeist.’ Read more

CNA

Cardinal Marx: ‘The Catechism is not set in stone. One is also allowed to doubt what it says’

Mar 31, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘I want to move Church teaching forward,’ the influential German cardinal said in a new interview. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing and Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.

German Catholic bishops’ leader responds to Polish archbishop’s ‘Synodal Way’ criticisms

Mar 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Bishop Bätzing said he sought a ‘real theological exchange’ with Archbishop Gądecki. Read more

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer with Ukrainian refugees in front of Msgr. Georg Ratzinger’s former home.

Home of Benedict XVI’s late brother opens doors to Ukrainian refugees

Mar 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Benedict XVI visited his ailing brother at the house in June 2020. Read more

Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen, Germany.

Women commissioned to confer baptisms in German Catholic diocese

Mar 15, 2022

By CNA Staff

Essen is the 1st diocese in Germany to take the step. Read more

CNA

Cardinal Marx celebrates Mass marking ‘20 years of queer worship and pastoral care’

Mar 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘I desire an inclusive Church,’ he said at the Mass. Read more

Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm at a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica on June 28, 2017.

Nordic Catholic bishops: German ‘Synodal Way’ fills us with worry

Mar 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

The bishops cautioned against ‘capitulation to the Zeitgeist.’ Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

German Catholic bishops’ leader calls for change to Catechism on sexuality

Mar 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

Bishop Georg Bätzing said: ‘Sexuality is a gift from God. And not a sin.’ Read more

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

German Cardinal Woelki submits resignation to Pope Francis

Mar 2, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope will decide on the Cologne archbishop’s resignation in due course. Read more

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki and Bishop Georg Bätzing.

Polish Catholic bishops’ leader expresses ‘fraternal concern’ over German ‘Synodal Way’

Feb 22, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki questioned whether the initiative was rooted in the Gospel. Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, personal secretary of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, speaks to EWTN Rome Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser.

Full text: EWTN’s exclusive interview with Archbishop Gänswein

Feb 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

Benedict XVI’s personal secretary discusses the Munich abuse report. Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, personal secretary of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

Archbishop Gänswein tells inside story of Benedict XVI’s response to the Munich abuse report

Feb 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

Benedict XVI’s personal secretary said the 94-year-old was ‘doing well’ despite the recent media firestorm. Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, at the Vatican, Oct. 5, 2019.

Can Cardinal Hollerich help to reconcile the German ‘Synodal Way’ with the global synodal process?

Feb 10, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A working group is bringing together leaders of the two initiatives. Read more

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

Benedict XVI asks abuse survivors for forgiveness as advisers defend handling of Munich cases

Feb 8, 2022

By CNA Staff

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has personally requested forgiveness from abuse survivors in a letter responding to a report that faulted... Read more

The third Synodal Assembly of the ‘Synodal Way’ in Frankfurt, Germany, on Feb. 4, 2022.

German ‘Synodal Way’ meeting ends with call for same-sex blessings, change to Catechism on homosexuality

Feb 7, 2022

By CNA Staff

The votes came on the third and final day of a meeting of the Synodal Assembly. Read more