Bishop Georg Bätzing

The Latest

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

German Catholic bishops’ leader replies to Nordic bishops’ ‘Synodal Way’ critique

Apr 5, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Nordic bishops cautioned against ‘capitulation to the Zeitgeist.’ Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing and Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.

German Catholic bishops’ leader responds to Polish archbishop’s ‘Synodal Way’ criticisms

Mar 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Bishop Bätzing said he sought a ‘real theological exchange’ with Archbishop Gądecki. Read more

Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm at a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica on June 28, 2017.

Nordic Catholic bishops: German ‘Synodal Way’ fills us with worry

Mar 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

The bishops cautioned against ‘capitulation to the Zeitgeist.’ 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

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki and Bishop Georg Bätzing.

Polish Catholic bishops’ leader expresses ‘fraternal concern’ over German ‘Synodal Way’

Feb 22, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki questioned whether the initiative was rooted in the Gospel. Read more

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

Pope Francis encourages us to continue on ‘Synodal Way,’ says German bishops’ leader after audience

Jun 24, 2021

By CNA Staff

Bishop Bätzing said he “made it clear that the rumors that the Church in Germany wants to go its own... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German bishops’ conference.

German Catholic bishops’ leader: ‘Synodal Way’ and Rome synod have ‘common goal’

May 21, 2021

Bishop Georg Bätzing welcomed the new global “process” for the synod on synodality. Read more

Thomas Sternberg, president of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK).

German Catholic, Protestant leaders share communion at ecumenical event

May 21, 2021

The gathering took place amid a controversy about intercommunion that drew the Vatican’s attention. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops’ conference. Courtesy: Diocese of Limburg

German Catholic bishops’ leader: ecumenical event ‘not about intercommunion’

May 14, 2021

Bishop Georg Bätzing insisted that the church services attended by both Catholics and Protestants would be “ecumenically sensitive.” Read more

The flag of Germany.

Father Weinandy: ‘If the German Synodal Way is not heading for schism, it has fooled a lot of people’

May 10, 2021

The theologian made the comment after the German bishops’ leader said the country’s Catholics were not “schismatics.” Read more

The Catholic Cathedral of Limburg in Hesse, Germany.

George Weigel: Church in Germany called to fidelity to revelation

May 10, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Church in Germany is called to follow revealed truth rather than the spirit of the times, George Weigel, biographer... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

German Catholic bishops’ leader: We are not ‘schismatics’

May 6, 2021

Bishop Bätzing said the German Church remains close to Rome, despite tensions over same-sex blessings, Communion for Protestants, and the... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

German bishops’ leader: Day of same-sex blessings not ‘helpful’

Apr 29, 2021

A nationwide event in defiance of the Vatican’s “no” to blessings for same-sex couples will take place on May 10. Read more

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

‘There are no easy answers’: Head of German Catholic bishops responds to Vatican’s ‘no’ on same-sex blessings

Mar 15, 2021

A leading German Catholic bishop has responded to the Vatican’s rejection of blessings for same-sex couples by saying that there... Read more

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

Leading German Catholic bishop cautions priests against intercommunion

Mar 3, 2021

A leading German Catholic bishop has cautioned priests against intercommunion with Protestants during an ecumenical event in May.   Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

Head of German Catholic bishops: ‘I do not deny Communion to a Protestant who asks for it’

Feb 26, 2021

The president of the German Catholic bishops’ conference said on Thursday that he would continue to give Holy Communion to... 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 clashes with German theologian over ‘Eucharistic meal fellowship’

Feb 10, 2021

A Vatican cardinal has responded to a German theologian who criticized him for opposing a proposal for a “Eucharistic meal... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing. Courtesy: Diocese of Limburg.

Leading German Catholic bishop renews intercommunion call after Vatican objections

Nov 9, 2020

Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops' conference, reaffirmed Sunday his view that intercommunion with Protestants should be possible,... Read more

Bishop Heinz-Josef Algermissen.

Catholic bishop says Pope Francis is deeply concerned about German Church

Oct 9, 2020

Pope Francis has expressed “dramatic concern” about the Catholic Church in Germany, according to a bishop who met him this... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in Rome on Oct. 23, 2019.

Vatican cardinal: Pope Francis ‘concerned’ about Church in Germany

Sep 22, 2020

A Vatican cardinal said Tuesday that Pope Francis has expressed concern about the Church in Germany.  Read more