Catholic Church in Germany
The Latest
German bishops urge stability amid political turmoil following government collapse
Cardinal Reinhard Marx and other Catholic voices are calling for calm, emphasizing stability and social cohesion as the German coalition... Read more
Attack in Germany: Catholic, Jewish leaders weigh in on deadly terror before key elections
Religious and political figures are embroiled in a debate about Europe’s hot-button issues: terrorism, mass migration, knife crime, and Islamist... Read more
50,000 altar servers headed to Rome for meeting this month
The German Bishops’ Conference stated in a July 2 press release the theme for the 13th pilgrimage is “With You,”... Read more
400,000 Germans quit Catholic Church as talks between Vatican, Synodal Way continue
The meeting on Friday resulted in Rome demanding the Germans change the name of the body and agree it cannot... Read more
German bishops praise constitution on 75th anniversary of post-Nazi era
German bishops have lauded their country’s constitution as a beacon of freedom as the nation commemorates the 75th anniversary of... Read more
Germany now a ‘mission country,’ Bishop Bätzing says amid declining Catholic numbers
The president of the German Bishops’ Conference has called Germany — a nation whose history is entangled with the Catholic... Read more
Four German bishops resist push to install permanent ‘Synodal Council’
The four bishops, including Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, instead appealed for unity with the universal Church. Read more
Catholic Church highlights concerns regarding Germany’s cannabis legalization
Germany legalized the recreational use of cannabis on Monday, April 1, but the debate over the contentious legislation is far... Read more
Synodal standoff: German bishops and Vatican commit to resolution roadmap
The Vatican and the German bishops have announced they will work together to resolve the controversial German Synodal Way. Read more
Pro-abortion activists aggressively harass peaceful pro-life prayer vigil in Germany
A lawyer and executive director of 40 Days for Life International denounced a March 1 attack by abortion activists on... Read more
German bishops halt move toward establishing a Synodal Council at Vatican’s request
The bishops were poised to vote on the matter at their upcoming plenary assembly Feb. 19–22. Read more
Dutch bishops offer cautious response to Vatican blessing guidance, bucking regional trend
The bishops emphasized that any blessings should help people “live in accordance with [God’s] intentions for the creation of man... Read more
Vatican draws line on women’s ordination and homosexuality in new letter to German bishops
The letter also warned of potential disciplinary consequences for anyone defying Church teaching. Read more
Full Text: Pope Francis’ letter expressing concern about German Synodal Way
Here is CNA’s English translation of Pope Francis’ letter to four German Catholic laywomen expressing his “concerns” about the direction... Read more
Pope Francis expresses ‘concerns’ about German Synodal Way, says it threatens Church unity
Pope Francis has expressed deep reservations about the direction of the Catholic Church in Germany. Read more
German cardinal disappointed over staff’s attempts to access pornography
“I stand firmly with Pope Francis, who unequivocally condemns [pornography] and warns of its insidious dangers,” Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki... Read more
Marian embrace: Gänswein speaks of loneliness and solace in first public appearance
On Tuesday, the former prefect of the Papal Household found himself seeking solace in a Bavarian hamlet. Read more
German cardinal under fire for admonishing priest over same-sex blessings
A German cardinal was publicly criticized by the powerful Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) on Monday. Read more
Hitler, the Holy See, and a historic treaty: The Reichskonkordat at 90
On July 20, the Church marks the 90th anniversary of a deal made in Rome between Hitler’s Germany and the... Read more
Archbishop Gänswein’s post-Vatican future beginning to take shape
The longtime personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI has been given no permanent position in his home archdiocese but is... Read more
