Many German Catholics have been left bewildered by Pope Francis’ decision to confirm Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki as Cardinal Archbishop of Cologne. Francis has also granted Woelki several months to reflect on the events that led him to offer the pontiff his resignation. The reaction of German conference president, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, to Read more
Pope Francis has encouraged the German bishops to continue on the Synodal Path and to discuss the questions openly and honestly. Francis also wants the German church to come to recommendations for a change in the church’s actions says Bishops Conference president Georg Bätzing. In return Francis received personal assurances from the German bishops’ conference Read more
Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops’ conference, defended the plan for “ecumenically mindful” reception of Communion in Catholic and Protestant services during Germany’s ecumenical congress May 13-16. The bishop told KNA, Germany’s Catholic news agency, May 11 that the services planned May 15 were not about “cross-denominational Communion in the sense of a general mutual Read more
German Catholics are not seeking to “detach ourselves as the German national Church from Rome,” and there is no risk of schism, according to the chairman of the German Catholic bishops’ conference. Even as Catholics in Germany plan a national protest against the Vatican’s ban on blessing on same-sex couples, Bishop Georg Bätzing has insisted Read more
A mass same-sex blessing across 56 cities in Germany has been labelled “not helpful”. The president of the German Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing, has criticized the upcoming Catholic-backed initiative saying blessings should not be used as a political statement. The blessing service initiative was organised immediately after the Vatican formally said no to same-sex Read more
The German bishops’ conference president has criticised Vatican officials who regard the German Church’s reform dialogue as “too Protestant” and threatening to church unity. “For many Vatican officials, the German Catholic Church smells Protestant,” Bishop Georg Bätzing said in an online round table discussion. This did not apply “to top level Vatican officials like prefects Read more
A leading German Catholic bishop responded to the Vatican’s rejection of blessings for same-sex couples on Monday by saying that there were “no easy answers” to the issue. Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops’ conference commented March 15 after the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) clarified that the Catholic Read more
The president of the German Catholic bishops’ conference said he will continue to give Holy Communion to Protestants who ask for it. Bishop Georg Bätzing said it was necessary to respect the “personal decision of conscience” of those seeking to receive Communion. CNA Deutsch reported that Bätzing responded to a question about a controversial proposal Read more
The German bishops, planning to talk with the Vatican about parish reform want laity included in the discussion. News of the move came after a meeting of the bishops’ conference 27 member Permanent Council, reports the German Catholic news agency KNA. The Conference’s permanent council says Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg (pictured), would “accept the Read more
The German Catholic Church’s synodal way has been approved by Pope Francis, says German bishops’ conference president Bishop Georg Bätzing . After meeting with Francis on Saturday, Bätzing said he felt “strengthened by the intensive exchange with the Holy Father to continue on the path we have taken. “The pope appreciates this project, which he Read more