Central Committee of German Catholics

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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

The cross of the German “Synodal Way”

Synodal Way votes to establish permanent Synodal Council to oversee Church and dioceses in Germany

Sep 10, 2022

By AC Wimmer

In a move aimed at achieving what critics have compared to communist councils in the Soviet Union, participants of the... Read more

A meeting of the "Synodal Way" in Frankfurt, Germany in February, 2022.

Will the German ‘Synodal Way’ lead to a permanent ‘Synodal Council’?

Sep 7, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Shortly before the next assembly of the German “Synodal Way,” one of the founders confirmed the goal of establishing a... 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

Irme Stetter-Karp, president of the Central Committee of German Catholics.

Leading laywoman and Co-President of German 'Synodal Way' calls for 'nationwide provision of abortion'

Jul 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

A leading laywoman and co-president of the German "Synodal Way" has demanded that "abortion be made available nationwide". Read more

Irme Stetter-Karp, the new president of the Central Committee of German Catholics.

Influential German Catholic lay group elects new leader

Nov 19, 2021

By CNA Staff

Irme Stetter-Karp succeeds the high-profile Thomas Sternberg. Read more

Thomas Sternberg and Bishop Georg Bätzing at the Synodal Way’s second Synodal Assembly in Frankfurt, Germany, Sept. 30, 2021.

‘Synodal Way’ members back proposal promoting evangelization after voting mix-up

Oct 1, 2021

By CNA Staff

Organizers initially said that the motion was rejected. Read more

Thomas Sternberg, president of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), speaks at a ‘Synodal Way’ press conference.

Ahead of key ‘Synodal Way’ meeting, lay leader says: ‘What matters now is the ability to compromise’

Sep 6, 2021

By CNA Staff

Participants will votes on draft texts dedicated to hot-button issues. Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx and Cardinal Gerhard Müller.

‘A lack of courage’: Germans divided over Pope Francis’ Amazonian exhortation

Feb 12, 2020

German Church leaders have offered markedly distinct responses to Querida Amazonia, the apostolic exhortation on the Amazon region released by... 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

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