Catholic Church in Germany

The Latest

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

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. Credit: Jochen Rolfes/Archdiocese of Cologne.

German Cardinal Woelki submits resignation to Pope Francis

Mar 2, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope will decide on the Cologne archbishop’s resignation in due course. 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

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, personal secretary of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, speaks to EWTN Rome Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser.

Full text: EWTN’s exclusive interview with Archbishop Gänswein

Feb 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

Benedict XVI’s personal secretary discusses the Munich abuse report. Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, personal secretary of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

Archbishop Gänswein tells inside story of Benedict XVI’s response to the Munich abuse report

Feb 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

Benedict XVI’s personal secretary said the 94-year-old was ‘doing well’ despite the recent media firestorm. Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, at the Vatican, Oct. 5, 2019.

Can Cardinal Hollerich help to reconcile the German ‘Synodal Way’ with the global synodal process?

Feb 10, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A working group is bringing together leaders of the two initiatives. Read more

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

Benedict XVI asks abuse survivors for forgiveness as advisers defend handling of Munich cases

Feb 8, 2022

By CNA Staff

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has personally requested forgiveness from abuse survivors in a letter responding to a report that faulted... Read more

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

German ‘Synodal Way’ meeting ends with call for same-sex blessings, change to Catechism on homosexuality

Feb 7, 2022

By CNA Staff

The votes came on the third and final day of a meeting of the Synodal Assembly. Read more

‘Synodal Way’ flags fly in front of the Congress Center Messe Frankfurt in Germany.

German ‘Synodal Way’ members back text calling for women priests

Feb 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

The appeal passed by 174 votes in favor, 30 against, and 6 abstentions. Read more

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

German Catholic bishop: Benedict XVI did not want to cover up clerical abuse

Feb 4, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Bishop Stefan Oster noted that Benedict had fought abuse ‘against no small opposition in the Vatican.’ Read more

The ‘Synodal Way’ began Dec. 1, 2019.

'Is a new Reformation dawning in Germany?' Initiative writes to bishops around the world

Feb 3, 2022

By CNA Staff

As the opening assembly of the Synodal Way is taking place in Germany, the “New Beginning” initiative has warned of... Read more

Cardinal Friedrich Wetter.

Munich abuse report: Cardinal Wetter apologizes for mishandling case

Jan 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Friedrich Wetter was archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1982 to 2007. Read more

Bishop Helmut Dieser, chairman of the Synodal Way forum on ‘Living in Successful Relationships,’ welcomes the #OutInChurch campaign, Jan. 24, 2022.

German Catholic bishops welcome initiative seeking change in Church teaching on sexuality

Jan 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

The campaign criticized what it said were ‘defamatory and outdated’ expressions of Catholic doctrine. Read more

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, pictured in summer 2017.

Benedict XVI confirms he attended disputed 1980 meeting in Munich

Jan 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

A statement said that the mistake was the result of an editing error. Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, pictured in June 2016.

Cardinal Marx ‘shocked and ashamed’ by Munich abuse report

Jan 20, 2022

By CNA Staff

The report accused the cardinal of mishandling two abuse cases. Read more

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

Benedict XVI, Cardinal Marx faulted in Munich abuse report

Jan 20, 2022

By CNA Staff

The report covers 1977 to 1982, when the future Benedict XVI led the archdiocese. Read more

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer speaks at a press conference on June 22, 2020.

German Catholic bishop criticizes delay in Synodal Way gender-neutral language debate

Jan 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer said: ‘I protest against this approach.’ Read more

Cologne Cathedral in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Vatican delays external audit of contracts in Germany’s Cologne archdiocese

Jan 7, 2022

By CNA Staff

The review must wait until the return of Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. Read more