German Catholic bishops and lay leaders called for their church to bless same-sex relationships, challenging a Vatican ban on the practice. The move increased pressure on Pope Francis to respond to the Germans’ progressive drive, which conservatives have warned could split the worldwide church. At a meeting in Frankfurt on Friday, German church leaders voted Read more
Against the background of lay Catholics’ anger about a Vatican decision not to censure Cologne clergy for mishandling abuse cases, German Catholics — bishops, clergy and laity — gathered in Frankfurt for the start of the three-day Synodal Path Assembly. But before discussions began on the agenda, the leadership decided to allow an hour to Read more
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
Priests and Catholic pastoral workers in Germany defied the Vatican on May 10 by conducting blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. Organisers held a day of protest in response to the Vatican’s recent declaration that the Church does not have the power to bless same-sex unions. The ceremonies, known as “Segnungsgottesdienste für Liebende,” or “blessing services Read more
The archbishop of Munich, Germany is pledging €500,000 (NZD860,000) of his personal finances to establish a foundation for victims of child abuse. Cardinal Reinhard Marx said the not-for-profit organization Spes et Salus (Hope and Healing) would see the Catholic Church engaged in helping victims process their experiences. Marx said his contribution constituted “by far the Read more
The Catholic and Evangelical churches in Germany are set to lose around €1 billion ($1.18 billion) in taxes paid by the faithful in 2020, according to a report published in Welt am Sonntag on Sunday. According to estimations, both churches can expect to see an average fall of around 8% in their incomes, double the Read more
The new parish instructions could the the subject of a discussion at the Vatican, if German bishops want to air their views about them, says Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy. Stella (pictured), whose congregation issued the new parish instructions last month, says he would be pleased to receive the bishops Read more
German prelates have reacted strongly to the new Vatican parish instruction. Released last week by the Congregation for the Clergy, the instruction has seen many bishops react with anger and contempt. Only Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne is defending the instruction, while Cardinal Walter Kasper is steering a middle way. The German Bishops’ Conference Read more