German bishops

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German bishops in Rome on Nov. 17, 2022.

German bishops to discuss Synodal Way with Vatican amid controversy

Mar 21, 2024

By AC Wimmer

A delegation of German bishops is expected in Rome this Friday for talks with the Vatican about the German Synodal... Read more

The cross of the German “Synodal Way.”

German Catholics ask bishops to reconsider Synodal Way plans

Feb 15, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Ahead of a high-stakes gathering of the German bishops next Monday, a lay group warned the prelates of moving “further... Read more

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández.

Cardinal Fernández: Vatican’s same-sex blessings guidance is ‘clear answer’ to German bishops

Jan 3, 2024

By Jonathan Liedl

Members of the controversial German Synodal Way overwhelmingly approved developing formalized ritual texts for same-sex blessings in March 2023.   Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing addresses journalists on Sept 28, 2023.

German bishops conclude tense gathering with all eyes on Synod on Synodality in Rome

Sep 29, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Conscious of mounting tensions and open defiance around certain issues, the assembly in Wiesbaden served as a charged prelude to... Read more

The Catholic Cathedral of Limburg in Hesse, Germany.

German exodus: Half a million Catholics abandon Church in historic departure

Jun 28, 2023

By AC Wimmer

With the highest number of departures ever recorded, several German bishops have expressed dismay over the figures. Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein was the personal secretary of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Report: Gänswein ordered to leave Vatican, return to home diocese without new role

Jun 2, 2023

By AC Wimmer

According to a German media report, Pope Francis is following a custom where former private secretaries of deceased popes do... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI

In new book, the late Benedict XVI defends Christianity against claims of intolerance

Jan 19, 2023

By AC Wimmer

In the book, the late pontiff warns of a “radical manipulation of human beings” and “the distortion of the sexes... Read more

The visit of the German bishops to Rome in November 2022 began with a Holy Mass in the grottoes of St. Peter's Basilica.

‘Truly not an easy task’: German bishops begin talks in Rome amid Synodal Way concerns

Nov 14, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Bishop Georg Bätzing said the German bishops would “openly and honestly address” the topics of the process during their ad... 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 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

Bishop Helmut Dieser, chairman of the Synodal Way forum on ‘Living in Successful Relationships,’ welcomes the #OutInChurch campaign, Jan. 24, 2022.

German Catholic bishops welcome initiative seeking change in Church teaching on sexuality

Jan 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

The campaign criticized what it said were ‘defamatory and outdated’ expressions of Catholic doctrine. Read more

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer speaks at a press conference on June 22, 2020.

German Catholic bishop criticizes delay in Synodal Way gender-neutral language debate

Jan 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer said: ‘I protest against this approach.’ Read more

Bishop Rolf Steinhäuser, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Cologne, Germany.

Canon lawyers to review abuse study contracts in Germany’s troubled Cologne archdiocese

Dec 9, 2021

By CNA Staff

The contracts relate to a landmark report released in March. Read more

Cardinal Walter Kasper.

Cardinal Kasper: Synodal Way’s ‘original sin’ was to set aside evangelization

Nov 9, 2021

By CNA Staff

The theologian said that the Synodal Way had ‘made itself a farce of a synod.’ Read more

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg.

German Catholic bishop suggests ‘Synodal Way’ is using abuse crisis to reshape Church

Sep 30, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Synodal Way’s supreme decision-making body meets on Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Read more

Cardinal Walter Kasper.

Cardinal Kasper supports alternative ‘Synodal Way’ text

Sep 24, 2021

By CNA Staff

The influential theologian is considered to be close to Pope Francis. Read more

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg, southern Germany.

German Catholic bishop proposes alternative ‘Synodal Way’ text

Sep 3, 2021

By CNA Staff

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer presented the text on a new website. Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx.

Cardinal Marx won’t rule out offering resignation for a 2nd time

Jul 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis declined the archbishop of Munich and Freising’s resignation in June. Read more

Fr. Andreas Wollbold, a professor at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany.

Theologian: Germany’s practicing Catholics need more encouragement

Jul 12, 2021

By CNA Staff

“They are the avant-garde, and not the last of the Mohicans,” said Fr. Andreas Wollbold. Read more