Catholic Church in Germany

The Latest

Archbishop Ludwig Schick

Pope Francis accepts resignation of German archbishop

Nov 1, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Archbishop Schick said the pope had asked him to remain in office. “After presenting my reasons again, he then granted... Read more

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode speaks during a press conference on Sept. 22, 2022, following the release of a report that said he mishandled abuse cases in the Diocese of Osnabrück, in northwestern Germany, which he has led since 1995.

German bishop says he won’t resign after report he mishandled abuse cases

Sep 22, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

A report published Sept. 20 said Bishop Franz-Josef Bode mishandled abuse cases in the Diocese of Osnabrück, in northwestern Germany,... Read more

March for Life in Berlin, Sept. 17, 2022

Thousands join March for Life in Berlin

Sep 20, 2022

By CNA Staff

Around 4,000 participants took part in the March for Life in the German capital Saturday in support of the right... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing watches ZdK president Irme Stetter-Karp speak at the Synodal Way assembly in Frankfurt, Germany, Sept 8. 2022

After sex document at German Synodal Way is blocked, organizers vow to ‘take it to’ Rome

Sep 9, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The document pushed for changes to the Church’s teaching on homosexuality, bisexuality, gender identity, and masturbation. Read more

The 2021 March for Life in Berlin, Germany.

Majority of German Catholics don't like Church being against abortion, poll finds

Aug 11, 2022

By AC Wimmer

According to a new representative poll, 58% of German Catholics do not like "the fact that the Pope and the... Read more

Cardinal Gerhard Müller at a penance service in St. Peter's Basilica on March 29, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Cardinal Müller: ‘The German Synodal Way was over before it even started’

Aug 2, 2022

By Rudolf Gehrig

Cardinal Müller sharply criticized the Synodal Way, saying it "was over before it even began," even if the initiators had... Read more

Pope Francis speaking with journalists on the papal plane on July 30.

Pope Francis says he has 'said all he has to say' in 2019 letter to German Catholics about the 'Synodal Way'

Jul 30, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The latest Vatican intervention against the German "Synodal Way" was published by the Secretariat of State, but he himself has... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg at a press conference of the German "Synodal Way"

‘Astonished’ German leaders take issue with Holy See’s latest warning about the ‘Synodal Way’

Jul 22, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The latest warning by the Holy See about the risk of a new schism from Germany arising from the “Synodal... Read more

Archbishop Joseph Naumann

Archbishop Naumann says he is 'sad' over Pope’s handling of Biden, Pelosi on abortion

Jul 14, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The archbishop's comments appeared in a German newspaper, Die Tagespost. Read more

Cardinal Walter Kasper, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, at the Vatican in April 2015.

Cardinal Kasper warns German synodal way risks 'breaking its own neck'

Jun 22, 2022

By AC Wimmer

A theologian considered close to Pope Francis has warned that the German Synodal Way is at risk of “breaking its... Read more

Katharina Westerhorstmann.

Theologian resigns from German ‘Synodal Way’ forum on sexual morality

Jun 15, 2022

By CNA Staff

Katharina Westerhorstmann, who teaches theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville’s campus in Austria, objected to ideas advanced by the forum. Read more

Franciscan friars line the Via Dolorosa in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Franciscans in Germany elect openly gay priest as new superior

Jun 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

Father Markus Fuhrmann said he recently came out as homosexual "to show that I can also be part of the... Read more

The Catholic Cathedral of Limburg in Hesse, Germany.

Rector of German Catholic seminary found dead

Jun 13, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Diocese of Limburg said: ‘We have lost a committed and much-appreciated pastor.’ Read more

Bishop Gebhard Fürst of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Germany.

Muslim and Protestant politicians receive Communion at German Catholic event

Jun 1, 2022

By CNA Staff

Organizers of the German March for Life said they were barred from having a stall. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

Germany’s Bishop Bätzing defends promotion of priest accused of sexual harassment

May 27, 2022

By CNA Staff

The chairman of the German bishops’ conference said he would handle the case differently today. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German bishops’ conference, meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican, June 24, 2021.

German bishops’ leader expresses disappointment in Pope Francis

May 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Bishop Georg Bätzing insisted that ‘the teaching of the Catholic Church’ must be ‘changed.’ Read more

The Frauenkirche, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.

Germany’s Munich archdiocese spent around $1.5 million on abuse report

May 23, 2022

By CNA Staff

The report, published in January, faulted Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal Reinhard Marx. Read more

Anselm Bilgri

Pope Francis dismisses prominent German ex-monk from clerical state

May 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

Anselm Bilgri is a well-known figure in the German-speaking Catholic world. Read more

Andreas Sturm, the former vicar general of the German Diocese of Speyer.

Senior German priest leaves Catholic Church

May 17, 2022

By CNA Staff

Andreas Sturm, a former vicar general, will now be a member of Germany’s Old Catholic community. Read more

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

Cost of Germany’s ‘Synodal Way’ remains a mystery

May 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

A spokesman declined to give a breakdown of the costs of the multi-year project. Read more