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Germany

Pope Francis expresses strong ‘concerns’ about schismatic German Synodal Way

November 22, 2023

Pope Francis has written a letter in which he has expressed strong reservations about the direction of the Catholic Church in Germany, which he says “threatens to steer it[self] increasingly away from the universal Church’s common path”. The Pope expressed his concerns in a letter written in German to four German Catholic laywomen, who had

The Synodal Path can’t defeat demographics

July 29, 2022

The Vatican came out swinging last week against the German Synodal Path. The Holy See issued a statement, warning that the movement – designed to give lay members a say in running the Church – lacks the authority to instruct bishops on doctrine or morality, and warned of the dangers of schism. The Synodal Path

German clerics attempt blessings of same-sex unions in defiance of Pope

May 10, 2021

The so-called “Liebe Gewinnt” (“Love Wins”) movement comes in response to a document from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which said that the Church has no power to bless “unions of persons of the same sex.”

German cardinal takes further action in wake of independent abuse report

March 26, 2021

Asked by reporters if he intended to resign, Woelki said: “To simply accept moral responsibility and go -- to protect the standing of the episcopate and the Church -- would be too easy and is, in my view, wrong.”

Cologne Reeling After Damning Abuse Report

March 18, 2021

The report found more than 200 wrongdoers and more than 300 victims, most of them boys under the age of 14. Roughly half the allegations pertained to sexual abuse of different kinds and gravity, while the rest fell under the rubric of “boundary violation” or other misconduct of a sexual nature.

Head of German Catholic bishops: ‘I do not deny Communion to a Protestant who asks for it’

February 26, 2021

Bishop Georg Bätzing told journalists at a press conference on Feb. 25 that it was necessary to respect the “personal decision of conscience” of those seeking to receive Communion.

Survey finds 30% of German Catholics are considering leaving Church

July 09, 2020

Almost a third of respondents agreed with the statement 'I am a member of the Church and can imagine leaving the Church soon'

Pope Francis ‘appreciates’ the ‘Synodal Way,’ says German bishop after private audience

June 29, 2020

Bishop Georg Bätzing says he feels 'strengthened' to 'continue on the path we have taken'