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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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

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

272,771 people exited the Catholic Church last year, a significant increase on the 2018 figure of 216,078

The president of the leading Catholic women’s organization in Germany has declared her support for "reproductive rights"