Catholic Church in Germany

The Latest

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

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 says he won’t resign after report he mishandled abuse cases

Sep 22, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

A report published Sept. 20 said Bishop Franz-Josef Bode mishandled abuse cases in the Diocese of Osnabrück, in northwestern Germany,... Read more

March for Life in Berlin, Sept. 17, 2022

Thousands join March for Life in Berlin

Sep 20, 2022

By CNA Staff

Around 4,000 participants took part in the March for Life in the German capital Saturday in support of the right... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing watches ZdK president Irme Stetter-Karp speak at the Synodal Way assembly in Frankfurt, Germany, Sept 8. 2022

After sex document at German Synodal Way is blocked, organizers vow to ‘take it to’ Rome

Sep 9, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The document pushed for changes to the Church’s teaching on homosexuality, bisexuality, gender identity, and masturbation. Read more

The 2021 March for Life in Berlin, Germany.

Majority of German Catholics don't like Church being against abortion, poll finds

Aug 11, 2022

By AC Wimmer

According to a new representative poll, 58% of German Catholics do not like "the fact that the Pope and the... Read more

Cardinal Gerhard Müller at a penance service in St. Peter's Basilica on March 29, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Cardinal Müller: ‘The German Synodal Way was over before it even started’

Aug 2, 2022

By Rudolf Gehrig

Cardinal Müller sharply criticized the Synodal Way, saying it "was over before it even began," even if the initiators had... Read more

Pope Francis speaking with journalists on the papal plane on July 30.

Pope Francis says he has 'said all he has to say' in 2019 letter to German Catholics about the 'Synodal Way'

Jul 30, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The latest Vatican intervention against the German "Synodal Way" was published by the Secretariat of State, but he himself has... 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

Archbishop Joseph Naumann

Archbishop Naumann says he is 'sad' over Pope’s handling of Biden, Pelosi on abortion

Jul 14, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The archbishop's comments appeared in a German newspaper, Die Tagespost. Read more

Cardinal Walter Kasper, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, at the Vatican in April 2015.

Cardinal Kasper warns German synodal way risks 'breaking its own neck'

Jun 22, 2022

By AC Wimmer

A theologian considered close to Pope Francis has warned that the German Synodal Way is at risk of “breaking its... Read more

Katharina Westerhorstmann.

Theologian resigns from German ‘Synodal Way’ forum on sexual morality

Jun 15, 2022

By CNA Staff

Katharina Westerhorstmann, who teaches theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville’s campus in Austria, objected to ideas advanced by the forum. Read more