Catholic Church in Germany

The Latest

Dr. Ulrich Lehner.

Theology professor: German theology no longer has worldwide impact

Aug 9, 2020

Theology in Germany, with a few exceptions, is in a crisis. This is the conclusion reached by a German theology... Read more

Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, pictured Oct. 24, 2019.

Vatican cardinal invites German bishops to discuss parish instruction

Jul 30, 2020

A Vatican cardinal has invited German bishops to Rome to discuss their criticisms of a new instruction on parishes.   Read more

Cardinal Walter Kasper.

Cardinal Kasper defends Vatican instruction on parishes

Jul 27, 2020

Cardinal Walter Kasper has defended a new Vatican instruction on parishes after it was criticized by several German bishops.   Read more

From left: Bishop Peter Kohlgraf of Mainz, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, and Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of Osnabrück.

Germany’s Catholic bishops divided over Vatican instruction on parishes

Jul 23, 2020

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

Jul 20, 2020

The Church in Germany received more money in church tax than ever before in 2019 despite losing a record number... Read more

Xanten Cathedral, Germany.

Survey finds 30% of German Catholics are considering leaving Church

Jul 9, 2020

A survey released Thursday found that 30% of German Catholics are considering leaving the Church.  Read more

Bishop Dominikus Schwaderlapp.

German bishop quits synodal forum endorsing 'polyvalent sexuality'

May 28, 2020

An auxiliary bishop of the German archdiocese of Cologne has announced he is no longer participating in the "Synodal Forum"... Read more

Cardinal Woelki welcomes guests on March 30, 2020

During coronavirus, German cardinal opens seminary to feed homeless

Mar 30, 2020

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne has opened the archdiocesan seminary to feed and shelter the homeless during the coronavirus... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

Women deacons possible after 'Synodal Way,' says German bishops' chairman

Mar 10, 2020

The new chairman of the German bishops’ conference has said that calling for the ordination of women could be a... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx and the Secretary General of the German Bishops' Conference, Father Hans Langendörfer SJ (left). Photo: EWTN.TV

German bishops reelect secretary on interim basis

Mar 4, 2020

The secretary of the German bishops’ conference has been reelected to his position, despite announcing last week that he was... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

German bishops elect new conference chairman

Mar 3, 2020

The German bishops’ conference has elected Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg as its new chairman. Bätzing replaces the outgoing chairman,... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx and the Secretary General of the German Bishops' Conference, Father Hans Langendörfer SJ (left). Photo: EWTN.TV

Secretary of German bishops' conference steps down

Feb 26, 2020

Langendörfer made the announcement Feb. 26, through the official media outlet of the Church in Germany. He said that he is... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx at the Vatican Press Office on Oct. 17, 2014.

Analysis: 'Querida Amazonia' and the German synod

Feb 14, 2020

By Ed Condon

Following the German reaction to Querida Amazonia, it is not clear what, if anything, could bring their synodal discussions to... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx.

Cardinal Marx will not seek re-election as head of German bishops' conference

Feb 11, 2020

Cardinal Reinhard Marx has notified German bishops that he will not stand to be elected to a second term as... Read more

Cardinal Rainer Woelki arrives at the Vatican on March 5, 2013.

German lay leader condemns cardinal for opposing 'synodal way'

Feb 3, 2020

A leading lay Catholic in the German city of Cologne has openly condemned his own archbishop for voicing concerns over... Read more

Pope Francis received Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, in a private audience at the Vatican on May 27, 2019.

Analysis: Pope Francis and the Germans

Jan 31, 2020

By Ed Condon

Whether he turns his attention to the furthest corner of the Amazon, or to reforming his own curia in Rome,... Read more

Cologne Cathedral.

German bishop accused of taking $140,000 from elderly woman's account

Dec 9, 2019

Bishop Johannes Bündgens has been charged by prosecutors with taking more than $140,000 from an elderly woman’s account.  Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx.

German bishops will light ‘Synodal Candle’ to launch controversial process  

Nov 25, 2019

The German bishops' conference announced Monday that a ceremonial "Synodal Candle" will be lit on the first Sunday of Advent... Read more

Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta Ochoa.

‘Useless to pretend’: Vatican official dismisses German ‘binding synodal path’

Oct 11, 2019

A senior legal official in the Vatican has dismissed the idea that a planned “synodal process” in Germany will be... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx at the German Bishops' Press Conference at the Pontifical Teutonic College on October 5, 2015.

German synod plans to be vetted by controversial lay group, not Vatican

Sep 27, 2019

By Ed Condon

The plan for a “binding synodal process” recently approved by the German bishops will be sent to a controversial lay... Read more