Catholic Church in Germany
The Latest
Germany’s Catholic bishops divided over Vatican instruction on parishes
A new Vatican instruction on parishes has received a mixed reception in Germany. Read more
Church in Germany receives highest ever church tax income despite record exodus
The Church in Germany received more money in church tax than ever before in 2019 despite losing a record number... Read more
Survey finds 30% of German Catholics are considering leaving Church
A survey released Thursday found that 30% of German Catholics are considering leaving the Church. Read more
German bishop quits synodal forum endorsing 'polyvalent sexuality'
An auxiliary bishop of the German archdiocese of Cologne has announced he is no longer participating in the "Synodal Forum"... Read more
During coronavirus, German cardinal opens seminary to feed homeless
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne has opened the archdiocesan seminary to feed and shelter the homeless during the coronavirus... Read more
Women deacons possible after 'Synodal Way,' says German bishops' chairman
The new chairman of the German bishops’ conference has said that calling for the ordination of women could be a... Read more
German bishops reelect secretary on interim basis
The secretary of the German bishops’ conference has been reelected to his position, despite announcing last week that he was... Read more
German bishops elect new conference chairman
The German bishops’ conference has elected Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg as its new chairman. Bätzing replaces the outgoing chairman,... Read more
Secretary of German bishops' conference steps down
Langendörfer made the announcement Feb. 26, through the official media outlet of the Church in Germany. He said that he is... Read more
Analysis: 'Querida Amazonia' and the German synod
Following the German reaction to Querida Amazonia, it is not clear what, if anything, could bring their synodal discussions to... Read more
Cardinal Marx will not seek re-election as head of German bishops' conference
Cardinal Reinhard Marx has notified German bishops that he will not stand to be elected to a second term as... Read more
German lay leader condemns cardinal for opposing 'synodal way'
A leading lay Catholic in the German city of Cologne has openly condemned his own archbishop for voicing concerns over... Read more
Analysis: Pope Francis and the Germans
Whether he turns his attention to the furthest corner of the Amazon, or to reforming his own curia in Rome,... Read more
German bishop accused of taking $140,000 from elderly woman's account
Bishop Johannes Bündgens has been charged by prosecutors with taking more than $140,000 from an elderly woman’s account. Read more
German bishops will light ‘Synodal Candle’ to launch controversial process
The German bishops' conference announced Monday that a ceremonial "Synodal Candle" will be lit on the first Sunday of Advent... Read more
‘Useless to pretend’: Vatican official dismisses German ‘binding synodal path’
A senior legal official in the Vatican has dismissed the idea that a planned “synodal process” in Germany will be... Read more
German synod plans to be vetted by controversial lay group, not Vatican
The plan for a “binding synodal process” recently approved by the German bishops will be sent to a controversial lay... Read more
German bishops vote to adopt statutes for Synodal Assembly
The bishops of Germany have voted to adopt a set of statutes for their long-planned “Synodal Assembly.” The decision was... Read more
Germany’s nuncio encourages attention and fidelity to Pope Francis
Archbishop Nicola Eterovic reiterated the appeal of Pope Francis to the bishops that they focus on evangelization and maintain unity... Read more
'Take the pope very seriously!' Cardinal Woelki tells German bishops
The Church in Germany must revise its synodal plans in line with the pope’s leadership and the universal Church, Cardinal... Read more
