Catholic Church in Germany

The Latest

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

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne. Credit: www.ewtn.de.

German cardinal under investigation: Allegations of perjury prompt search of archdiocese

Jun 27, 2023

By AC Wimmer

The allegations revolve around the accusation that Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki may have provided false testimony about his awareness of... Read more

Bishop Gebhard Fürst blesses the bell from St. Albertus Magnus in Oberesslingen in front of the church in Żegoty (Siegfriedswalde), Germany, which has now returned to its homeland of Poland.

Ringing in a new era: the historic return of Nazi-plundered bells to Poland

Jun 26, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Over the weekend, a German bishop and a state premier participated in an initiative to bring bells stolen by the... Read more

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

Four German bishops block funding for permanent synodal council 

Jun 20, 2023

By AC Wimmer

In a statement, the bishops said the controversial initiative goes against “the clear instruction of the pope” and would cause... Read more

St. Hedwig's Cathedral in Berlin, Germany.

German Synodal Council challenged ahead of key Berlin meeting

Jun 19, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A prelate in the Diocese of Regensburg said the concept of synodality underlying the Synodal Way isn’t in line with... Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein

Vatican: Gänswein to return to home diocese in July

Jun 15, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus, AC Wimmer

Pope Francis has asked Archbishop Georg Gänswein to return to Germany “for the time being.” Read more

The cross of the German “Synodal Way.”

Group of faithful in Germany rejects Synodal Way: ‘We want to remain Catholic’

Jun 2, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Birgit Kelle told EWTN Noticias that her association represents “many orthodox Catholics who are concerned about the Synodal Way and... 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 Francis greeted victims of sexual abuse by members of the Church after the general audience on May 17, 2023. The victims arrived in Rome after making a pilgrimage by bicycle from Munich, Germany.

Abuse victims share ‘wounded heart’ with Pope Francis after bike trek from Germany

May 17, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Fifteen abuse victims arrived in Rome this week from Munich to personally urge the pope to heal and prevent sexual... Read more

Archbishop Arthur Roche at a Vatican press conference on Feb. 10, 2015.

Vatican’s liturgy czar rejects German Church’s plans for laity to preach homilies, conduct baptisms

Mar 30, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Cardinal Arthur Roche also said allowing laypeople to regularly perform baptisms goes against canon law. Read more

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of the Diocese of Osnabrück served as vice president of the German bishops' conference from 2017 to 2023.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of vice president of German bishops’ conference 

Mar 25, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode had previously refused to step down despite an abuse report finding he had mishandled cases in his... Read more

Delegates at the fifth assembly of the German Synodal Way, meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 11, 2023, applaud after the he passage of a text calling for changes to the German Church's approach to gender identity.

Women’s ordination, transgender ideology move forward at German Synodal Way

Mar 11, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Delegates also elected members for a commission tasked with establishing a permanent, national Synodal Council. Read more

Auxiliary Bishop Ansgar Puff in the devastated Kreuzerhöhungskirche in Wissen, Germany, Feb. 15, 2023.

Watchdog raises concerns after arson attacks on German, French churches

Feb 21, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Following an arson attack on a historic church in Germany, a European watchdog has raised concerns over hate crimes targeting... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI during audiences in Vatican in Rome

Bells to ring for Benedict XVI in all Catholic churches in Germany

Jan 3, 2023

By AC Wimmer

The bells of all Catholic churches of the 27 dioceses of Germany are expected to toll at 11 a.m. (local... 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 must face Vatican investigation, abuse council demands

Dec 12, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The survivors’ organization called on Bishop Bode “to take moral responsibility for the suffering caused by him — irrespective of... Read more

Thomas Sternberg speaking at a press conference for the German "Synodal Way" on Sept. 30, 2021, in Frankfurt.

German Synodal Way designed to create ‘pressure’ on the Church, founding president says

Dec 2, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Thomas Sternberg, former president of the Central Committee of German Catholics, said the process wanted to achieve changes to Church... Read more

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German priest contradicts pope and backs pornography as sexual ‘relief’ for celibates

Nov 16, 2022

By CNA Staff

A priest of the Diocese of Münster, Father Hermann Backhaus, said he also considers it a “very strong” statement to... Read more

Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Bündgens in November 2022

Pope Francis accepts resignation of German bishop found guilty of embezzlement

Nov 8, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis on Tuesday accepted the resignation of a German bishop who was convicted of embezzling money from a woman... Read more

Pope Francis takes questions from members of the press on the flight to Rome from Bahrain.

Pope Francis: ‘We have to keep fighting for women’s equality’

Nov 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

Returning from Bahrain, the pope was asked if he supports the efforts of women and young people in Iran to... Read more

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