Bishop Georg Bätzing

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Farmers use their tractors and hold a rally blocking access to the Riebeckplatz on the first day of a week of protests on Jan. 8, 2024, in central Halle (Saale), Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.

Amid farmers’ protests and disruptions, German bishop calls for dialogue 

Jan 8, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Bishop Georg Bätzing appealed for peaceful resolutions on Monday: “Let us approach each other and find solutions together that serve... 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

Participants at the March for Life in Cologne, Germany, Sept. 16, 2023.

Historic twin marches for life in Germany face disruptions and defiance

Sep 18, 2023

By AC Wimmer

The dual marches drew thousands and were met with both enthusiasm and confrontation as counterdemonstrators attempted to disrupt the events.  Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing at the closing press conference of the spring plenary meeting of the German bishops’ conference.

Despite ‘no’ from Vatican, German bishops move forward with plans for Synodal Council

Mar 1, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A letter by the president of the German Bishops’ Conference published Wednesday confirms that plans for a German synodal council... Read more

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

German bishops’ president rebukes Pope Francis for criticism of Synodal Way 

Jan 30, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Bishop Georg Bätzing says the Germans have “fundamentally different views of synodality” than Rome.  Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops’ conference in St. Peter’s Square, June 27, 2020.

German bishop dismisses Vatican concerns over a permanent synodal council

Jan 23, 2023

By AC Wimmer

On Monday, Bishop Georg Bätzing said he welcomed a new letter from the Vatican detailing concerns about the push for... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German Episcopal Conference and one of the two presidents of the German Synodal Path.

Dominican theologian to German Bishop Bätzing: Support for gay agenda is ‘modernist heresy’

Nov 23, 2022

By CNA Staff

Father Nelson Medina Medina, a native of Colombia, is an influencer in the Spanish-speaking world with a presence on Twitter,... Read more

Facing the German bishops in Rome, Nov. 18, 2022: Cardinal Luis Ladaria Ferrer, SJ, prefect of the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith; Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state; and Cardinal Marc Ouellet, PSS, prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops (from left).

Did the Vatican ‘snub’ German bishops over Synodal Way?

Nov 21, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Bishop Georg Bätzing said supporters of the Synodal Way wanted to remain Catholic, “but we want to be Catholic in... 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 Georg Bätzing (left) and Cardinal Kurt Koch

Public spat between German bishop, Swiss cardinal leads to private meeting in Rome

Oct 5, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Following demands for an apology and a threat he would “file an official complaint with the Holy Father,” the German... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in Rome on Oct. 23, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Vatican cardinal says he did not compare German Synodal Way to Nazi ideology

Sep 29, 2022

By AC Wimmer

A Vatican cardinal has defended himself against the accusation by the president of the German bishops’ conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing,... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing

Religion is ‘interruption,’ not continuity, German bishops’ president says

Sep 27, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Bishop Georg Bätzing spoke in a live-streamed Mass on Tuesday on the occasion of the bishops’ plenary assembly in Dulda,... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing, Irme Stetter-Karp, Bischop Franz-Josef Bode at the “Synodal Way” meeting on Sept. 9 2022 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Turbulent scenes and votes for homosexuality, women’s ordination at German Synodal Way

Sep 12, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The three-day event was overshadowed by turbulent scenes and early departures over the handling of contentious issues. 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

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

Pope Francis told Bishop Bätzing: We don’t need 2 Evangelical churches in Germany

Jun 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope recalled his remark during a conversation with the editors of Jesuit journals. 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 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

Bishop Georg Bätzing at the closing press conference of the spring plenary meeting of the German bishops’ conference.

German bishops' president asserts 'the need to develop the Church's teaching'

May 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

The president of the German bishops’ conference has expressed his belief that Church teaching needs further development, in response to... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing at the German bishops’ spring meeting in February 2021. Credit: Sascha Steinbach/epa pool.

German bishops' president responds to letter warning of schism risk in synodal path

Apr 16, 2022

By CNA Staff

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, president of the German bishops’ conference, responded Thursday to a letter warning the country’s synodal... Read more