German immigration policies have seen left and right wing groups clashing in sometimes violent protests in several major cities. Thousands of people rallied on Sunday to demand the country help with missions to rescue migrants stranded at sea. The demonstrations, organised by a range of Catholic and Protestant civic groups, were part of a Europe-wide Read more
The German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, says the Catholic Church should allow Protestants to receive Communion. He offered his opinion at Katholikentag, a Muenster-based conference drawing tens of thousands of Catholics from German-speaking Europe. “Let us seek ways of expressing the common Christian faith by sharing in the Last Supper and Communion. I am sure thousands Read more
The Bavarian state government’s order to put crosses at the entrances of all state administrative buildings by 1 June is unpopular with many Germans. It has also drawn disapproving comments from Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich. However, Bavarian state leader Markus Söder says the crosses should reflect Bavaria’s “cultural identity and Christian-Western influence.” Its public Read more
Intercommunion – enabling non-Catholics to receive the Eucharist – is to be discussed in Rome. Although several news sources say Francis has already rejected a draft plan to allow non-Catholics who are married to Catholics to receive Communion in certain circumstances, it seems this is not the case. German Bishops’ Conference president, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Read more
A German cardinal known internationally for his ecumenical work died on Sunday. Cardinal Karl Lehmann, Archbishop Emeritus of Mainz, was a world leader in building bridges of understanding, reconciliation and dialogue. He played a leading role in advancing the Catholic Church’s ecumenical dialogue, especially with Lutherans and Evangelicals. German Bishops’ Conference chair, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Read more
Some couples in mixed-denomination marriages may receive the Eucharist together, says Cardinal Reinhard Marx. The dispensation would be decided according to individual cases and under special circumstances. Marx, who is the German Bishops’ conference president, says after an “intensive debate” during which “serious concerns” had been expressed, a “large majority” of the bishops had voted Read more
Cardinal Reinhard Marx has spoken out about the lack of vision some of the European Union’s (EU) leading members are showing. Marx, who is the president of the German bishops conference, says the EU’s broken promises, the exaggerated personal ambitions of some of its leading members and lack of vision have eroded people’s trust in Read more
The Archbishop of Paris has urged parishes in his diocese to form “synodal teams” to continue discussions launched by Pope Francis at the family synod. Cardinal André Vingt-Trois wants these groups to report back to him by Pentecost. He explained that the teams should have six to 12 members, chosen by priests with their parish Read more
A senior German cardinal has emphasised that Church doctrine can change over time. Speaking at a press briefing last Friday, before the synod on the family delivered its final report, Cardinal Reinhard Marx said the Church’s doctrine can develop. “Saying that the doctrine will never change is a restrictive view of things,” Cardinal Marx said. Read more
An Austrian cardinal says the Church under Pope Francis will find new ways of responding to people who don’t live up to its teachings. Speaking to media at the synod on the family, Cardinal Christoph Schonborn said it is clear that the Church must reach out to those whose marriages have failed. No one must Read more