University of Münster professor Thomas Schüller says archbishop’s “abuse of abuse victims” is “nefarious, shameful and inexcusable”
“I cannot imagine Pope Francis wanting to prevent democratic decisions” on future of Church, says president of Central Committee of German Catholics after pontiff’s controversial remarks at Wednesday General Audience
First-hand testimonies from 23 women from all walks of life show the spiritual abuse facilitated by “imbalances of power” often “grooming strategy” for sexual assaults
Mother Mechthild Thürmer says of run-in with law over granting sanctuary in her Bavarian abbey: “I have no choice, I have to help, I have to help, as much as I can”
“If you promise transparency and then fail to keep your promise, there is the suspicion of another cover-up”, laments Johannes-Wilhelm Rörig of scandal in Cologne archdiocese
Clericalism, the concern to protect the institution at all costs and a “men’s alliance” mentality still exacerbating clergy sex abuse crisis, laments Bishop Georg Bätzing
Coronavirus has “strengthened and accelerated” debates over reforms in the Church, acknowledges Archbishop of Munich and Freising
Archbishop Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki allegedly ordered repercussions after Community attacks on “backward and evasive” Church attitude to debates over celibacy, women, LGBT people
Catholic Women’s Association of Germany decries that in the Church “maintaining power takes precedence over the suffering of the victims” of abuse
Youth, workers’ and women’s associations call for “courage, strength, confidence and openness” to recommit to ‘Synodal Path’ reform dialogue
As a result of prelate’s failure to publish key report on negligence, “much lies in ruins and the Church has lost credibility”, laments Diocesan Council
“We must not look away when Jews are insulted or attacked”, urges chair of Catholic Bishops’ Conference commission for relations with Judaism, Bishop Ulrich Neymeyr
Dresden bishop urges survivors to come forward: those who blow the whistle on abusive dynamics “do the Church an important service”
Members of German Catholic Youth Federation (BKDJ) chapter in Cologne say it is “shameful” that archbishop and vicar general “have once again destroyed the trust” of survivors
Jesuit Klaus Mertes says officials “repeating the abuse”, criticises Church attempts to censor survivors and calls for a new “truth commission” to uncover extent of negligence
With the mass slaughter of animals, “everybody loses: our earth, the air, animals, water sources, biodiversity, the Global South, the workers”, denounces Father Rainer Hagencord, the recipient of a special UN award
Bishop Georg Bätzing wants “intensive” dialogue with Rome, pledge ecumenical advances will be “examined and acted upon” as Evangelical Church expresses “deep regret” at CDF veto
“It is intolerable for us that no responsibility is taken”, denounce members of ‘Maria 2.0’ in protests at cathedral and at cardinal’s home and office
Bishop of Dresden-Meissen Heinrich Timmerevers wonders about “intention” behind Secretariat of State explicatory note, still intends to push ahead with blessings for gay couples
Members of the “Leave the church(es) in the village” collective were demonstrating against the destruction of trees to make way for expansion of Garzweiler surface mine
Catholic women’s rights movement ‘Maria 2.0’ questions need in Church for “any ordained people at all”, warns male-only hierarchy will always lead to evil
Faithful commemorate Immerath church demolished in 2018 to make way for Garzweiler surface mine, call on North Rhine-Westphalian government to abandon “hostile and climate-destroying” enabling of extractivism
Image celebrates feminine contributions to “far-reaching new development in the Church” by which “the gospel found a new path to the people”, say experts
Bishops’ liturgy commission head acknowledges “there is no such thing as a space free of power” in the Church, welcomes open discussion of Catholic exercise of authority
German Bishops’ ecumenism head shares impression Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith “hastily cobbled together” response to the intercommunion question
“You are the messenger, not the message – ultimately it is not about you”, Bishop of Mainz Peter Kohlgraf tells clerics in ordination homily
Pope’s moving ‘Urbi et orbi’ blessing at the height of the pandemic was a farewell to the “Church triumphant”, says Protestant theologian and sociologist Reimer Gronemeyer
Junia was described by St. Paul as “prominent among the apostles” but was airbrushed from later Church tradition
“If people of a different skin colour were treated so ignorantly and arrogantly, then this would be racism. If you treat the other person like that because she is a woman, then what are you: Catholic!”