Germany
The Latest
Court hears pro-life challenge to German municipality’s prayer vigil ban
In 2019, the municipality in Pforzheim, southwest Germany, denied pro-lifers permission to hold vigils near a pre-abortion advisory center. Read more
German foreign minister welcomes day of same-sex blessings ahead of papal audience
Heiko Maas backed the blessing ceremonies held in around 80 German cities on May 10. Read more
German Catholics defy Vatican with blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples
Ceremonies took place in around 80 cities, though the precise number of services is unknown. Read more
Father Weinandy: ‘If the German Synodal Way is not heading for schism, it has fooled a lot of people’
The theologian made the comment after the German bishops’ leader said the country’s Catholics were not “schismatics.” Read more
German Catholic group calls on bishops to unite with Rome
The appeal came ahead a day of protest in Germany against the Vatican’s “no” to same-sex blessings. Read more
German Catholic diocese hosts event declaring same-sex blessings a case of ‘not if, but how’
The Diocese of Essen held the conference ahead of a nationwide event defying the Vatican’s “no” to same-sex blessings. Read more
German Catholic bishops’ leader: We are not ‘schismatics’
Bishop Bätzing said the German Church remains close to Rome, despite tensions over same-sex blessings, Communion for Protestants, and the... Read more
German cardinal takes further action in wake of independent abuse report
A German cardinal has announced further action following the release of a long-awaited independent report on the handling of abuse... Read more
More than 200 German-speaking theology professors criticize Vatican ‘no’ to same-sex blessings
More than 200 theology professors in the German-speaking world have signed a statement criticizing the Vatican’s rejection of blessings for... Read more
English Catholic bishop fears Germany’s ‘Synodal Path’ will lead to ‘de facto schism’
An English Catholic bishop has said he fears that the German Church’s “Synodal Way” will lead to a “de facto... Read more
Catholics and Protestants in Germany announce intercommunion move despite Vatican objections
Catholics and Protestants in Germany have announced that they will press ahead with intercommunion at an event in May despite... Read more
Survey: One in three Catholics in Germany thinking of leaving Church
One in three Catholics in Germany is thinking of leaving Church, according to a new survey. Read more
Leading German Catholic bishop cautions priests against intercommunion
A leading German Catholic bishop has cautioned priests against intercommunion with Protestants during an ecumenical event in May. Read more
Head of German Catholic bishops: ‘I do not deny Communion to a Protestant who asks for it’
The president of the German Catholic bishops’ conference said on Thursday that he would continue to give Holy Communion to... Read more
German bishops’ conference elects first female general secretary
The theologian Beate Gilles was elected general secretary of the German bishops’ conference on Monday, becoming the first woman to... Read more
Pro-life activists challenge German municipality’s prayer vigil ban
Pro-life activists are challenging a German municipality’s decision to ban them from praying in front of a pre-abortion advisory center. Read more
Vatican cardinal clashes with German theologian over ‘Eucharistic meal fellowship’
A Vatican cardinal has responded to a German theologian who criticized him for opposing a proposal for a “Eucharistic meal... Read more
Catholic bishop: ‘Synodal Way’ procedures give impression of ‘authoritarian despotism’
A German Catholic bishop said on Wednesday that he detected an “authoritarian despotism” in the procedures of the country’s controversial... Read more
German cardinal says he will keep promise to publish abuse report
A German cardinal facing calls to resign confirmed on Thursday that he would release an eagerly awaited report on abuse... Read more
Confidentiality dispute piles pressure on cardinal accused of mishandling abuse cases
German media have criticized the Archdiocese of Cologne for offering to provide a “background briefing” to journalists about an unpublished... Read more
