German Catholics
Sex abuse allegations against a deceased cardinal add to the German church’s troubles
By Geir Moulson — September 26, 2023
(AP) — In 2018, a church-commissioned report concluded that at least 3,677 people were abused by clergy in Germany between 1946 and 2014. More than half of the victims were 13 or younger, and nearly a third served as altar boys.
More than half a million left Germany’s Catholic Church last year as abuse scandal swirls
By Geir Moulson — June 29, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — The departures left the number of Catholic Church members in Germany at nearly 20.94 million, just under a quarter of the population.
German police search church properties in probe of Cologne archbishop over perjury allegations
By Kirsten Grieshaber — June 28, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — The cardinal is under investigation on suspicion of having falsely testified to court about when he became aware of reports of clergy sexual abuse in the archdiocese.
Pope Benedict XVI: A man at odds with the modern world who leaves a legacy of intellectual brilliance and controversy
By Mathew Schmalz — January 4, 2023
(The Conversation) — Pope Benedict XVI led the Catholic Church at a crucial time and had to confront a growing sexual abuse scandal.
Vatican releases Pope Benedict XVI’s spiritual will: ‘Stand firm in faith!’
By Claire Giangravé — December 31, 2022
RNS — The pope, known for his efforts to reconcile faith and reason, urged Catholics to hold on to their faith.
Cologne Catholic church holds penance service on sex abuse
By Kirsten Grieshaber and Daniel Niemann — November 18, 2021
The German Catholic Church’s handling of sexual abuse reports has caused a crisis in Cologne, where the archbishop, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, has taken a “spiritual timeout" on the advice of Pope Francis.
In Germany, Vatican ban on blessing same-sex couples catches church ‘in process’
By Claire Giangravé — March 19, 2021
(RNS) — The Vatican's note, many Catholics believe, was prompted by the resumption of the German church's ongoing discussions about same-sex couples, which had been interrupted during the pandemic.
Bishop’s suspension a symptom of German Catholic Church’s wealth
By Nele Mailin Obermueller — October 23, 2013
(RNS) As the new pontiff tries to reform the way the church does business, German dioceses, which reportedly include the world's wealthiest in Cologne, are chafing under the new direction as membership numbers continue to dwindle.
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