Catholic Church in Germany

The Latest

Archbishop Stefan Heße of Hamburg.

German Catholic archbishop asks Vatican to review his handling of abuse allegations

Nov 23, 2020

A German archbishop asked the Vatican Friday to review his handling of abuse allegations.   Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, pictured in Rome Feb. 24, 2019.

Cardinal Marx dissolves embattled Catholic community in Munich archdiocese

Nov 20, 2020

Cardinal Reinhard Marx has dissolved an embattled Catholic community in his archdiocese of Munich and Freising.  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

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

The interior of St. Joseph’s Church in Wedding, Berlin, Germany.

Priest punched during Sunday Mass in Berlin

Aug 31, 2020

An unknown assailant punched a priest during Sunday Mass in Berlin, Germany.  Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

German bishops to accept Vatican offer of 'clarifying discussion' on parish instruction

Aug 24, 2020

The German Bishops' Conference has said it will accept the Vatican's invitation to discuss the new instruction on parishes at... Read more

Dr. Ulrich Lehner.

Theology professor: German theology no longer has worldwide impact

Aug 9, 2020

Theology in Germany, with a few exceptions, is in a crisis. This is the conclusion reached by a German theology... Read more

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

Vatican cardinal invites German bishops to discuss parish instruction

Jul 30, 2020

A Vatican cardinal has invited German bishops to Rome to discuss their criticisms of a new instruction on parishes.   Read more

Cardinal Walter Kasper.

Cardinal Kasper defends Vatican instruction on parishes

Jul 27, 2020

Cardinal Walter Kasper has defended a new Vatican instruction on parishes after it was criticized by several German bishops.   Read more

From left: Bishop Peter Kohlgraf of Mainz, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, and Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of Osnabrück.

Germany’s Catholic bishops divided over Vatican instruction on parishes

Jul 23, 2020

A new Vatican instruction on parishes has received a mixed reception in Germany.  Read more

Church in Germany receives highest ever church tax income despite record exodus

Jul 20, 2020

The Church in Germany received more money in church tax than ever before in 2019 despite losing a record number... Read more

Xanten Cathedral, Germany.

Survey finds 30% of German Catholics are considering leaving Church

Jul 9, 2020

A survey released Thursday found that 30% of German Catholics are considering leaving the Church.  Read more

Bishop Dominikus Schwaderlapp.

German bishop quits synodal forum endorsing 'polyvalent sexuality'

May 28, 2020

An auxiliary bishop of the German archdiocese of Cologne has announced he is no longer participating in the "Synodal Forum"... Read more

Cardinal Woelki welcomes guests on March 30, 2020

During coronavirus, German cardinal opens seminary to feed homeless

Mar 30, 2020

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne has opened the archdiocesan seminary to feed and shelter the homeless during the coronavirus... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

Women deacons possible after 'Synodal Way,' says German bishops' chairman

Mar 10, 2020

The new chairman of the German bishops’ conference has said that calling for the ordination of women could be a... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx and the Secretary General of the German Bishops' Conference, Father Hans Langendörfer SJ (left). Photo: EWTN.TV

German bishops reelect secretary on interim basis

Mar 4, 2020

The secretary of the German bishops’ conference has been reelected to his position, despite announcing last week that he was... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

German bishops elect new conference chairman

Mar 3, 2020

The German bishops’ conference has elected Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg as its new chairman. Bätzing replaces the outgoing chairman,... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx and the Secretary General of the German Bishops' Conference, Father Hans Langendörfer SJ (left). Photo: EWTN.TV

Secretary of German bishops' conference steps down

Feb 26, 2020

Langendörfer made the announcement Feb. 26, through the official media outlet of the Church in Germany. He said that he is... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx at the Vatican Press Office on Oct. 17, 2014.

Analysis: 'Querida Amazonia' and the German synod

Feb 14, 2020

By Ed Condon

Following the German reaction to Querida Amazonia, it is not clear what, if anything, could bring their synodal discussions to... Read more