Catholic Church in Germany

The Latest

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

Franciscan friars line the Via Dolorosa in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Franciscans in Germany elect openly gay priest as new superior

Jun 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

Father Markus Fuhrmann said he recently came out as homosexual "to show that I can also be part of the... 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 Gebhard Fürst of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Germany.

Muslim and Protestant politicians receive Communion at German Catholic event

Jun 1, 2022

By CNA Staff

Organizers of the German March for Life said they were barred from having a stall. 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

The Frauenkirche, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.

Germany’s Munich archdiocese spent around $1.5 million on abuse report

May 23, 2022

By CNA Staff

The report, published in January, faulted Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal Reinhard Marx. Read more

Anselm Bilgri

Pope Francis dismisses prominent German ex-monk from clerical state

May 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

Anselm Bilgri is a well-known figure in the German-speaking Catholic world. Read more

Andreas Sturm, the former vicar general of the German Diocese of Speyer.

Senior German priest leaves Catholic Church

May 17, 2022

By CNA Staff

Andreas Sturm, a former vicar general, will now be a member of Germany’s Old Catholic community. Read more

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

Cost of Germany’s ‘Synodal Way’ remains a mystery

May 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

A spokesman declined to give a breakdown of the costs of the multi-year project. Read more

Father Joseph Kentenich.

Schoenstatt founder’s beatification cause put on hold

May 3, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Bishop Stephan Ackermann acknowledged that ‘the suspension of the beatification process is a painful step for the Schoenstatt family.’ Read more

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne.

Vatican backs Cardinal Woelki over abuse study contracts

May 3, 2022

By CNA Staff

The embattled German cardinal welcomed what he said was the ‘good news from Rome.’ Read more

Bishop Franz Jung of Würzburg, Germany.

After backlash, German diocese stops working with Planned Parenthood affiliate

Apr 21, 2022

By CNA Staff

It is unclear why a Catholic bishop chose a pro-abortion organization to assist with counseling victims of sexual abuse. Read more

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone

Cordileone on signing letter to German bishops: ‘Christ’s teaching is timeless’

Apr 13, 2022

By CNA Staff

“The teaching of Christ is timeless. It's not bound by any one generation, any one time or culture,” Archbishop Salvatore... Read more

null

German diocese hires self-identified transgender man to teach religious ed

Apr 8, 2022

By CNA Staff

A German diocese has granted a biological female who identifies as a transgender man permission to teach Catholic religion to... Read more

null

Catholic youth organizations urge end to Germany's ban on abortion ads

Apr 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ), an umbrella organization of Catholic children's and youth associations, has spoken in favor... Read more

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

Cardinal Reinhard Marx marks ‘20 years of queer worship and pastoral care’ at St. Paul parish church, Munich, southern Germany, March 13, 2022.

Cardinal Marx: ‘The Catechism is not set in stone. One is also allowed to doubt what it says’

Mar 31, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘I want to move Church teaching forward,’ the influential German cardinal said in a new interview. Read more