The Catholic Church in Germany is at a point where serious debate — including on priestly celibacy and the role of women — and openness to doing things in a new way must encouraged, said the president of the German bishops’ conference.
Zita Fletcher - Catholic News Service
Posted inFaith, News
German cardinal calls for ‘new thinking’ ahead of celibacy discussion
German Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising spoke as the German bishops’ conference prepares for a workshop debate to “review” the issue of celibacy for priests.
Posted inFaith, News
Prelates in Austria, Germany offer support to Pope Francis
Prelates in Germany and Austria have united to support Pope Francis in response to a former papal nuncio’s demand for his resignation.
Posted inFaith, News
Abuse victims say they felt hurt by ordinary Catholics’ lack of compassion
The abuses these survivors suffered at the hands of priests were not crimes of passion, they said, but cold exploitations of control.
Posted inFaith, News
U.S. church officials favor balance of priests, laity in marriage prep
Amid controversy caused by a Vatican official’s assertions that priests “have no credibility” in marriage preparation, representatives from dioceses across the United States maintain that both priests and laity have integral roles in the process.
Posted inFaith, News
German bishops resume Communion debate after ignoring pope’s request
The German bishops’ conference said when the bishops meet in September, they will continue to examine the issue of Communion for Protestant spouses of Catholics.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Iceland’s Catholic leaders condemn circumcision law as discriminatory
A popular proposed law could land Jewish and Muslim parents in prison for up to six years for circumcising their infant boys.
Posted inFaith, News
German bishops prepare Communion rules for mixed-denomination marriages
The bishops deem it possible in certain cases to allow the Eucharist to be given to a non-Catholic spouse in a mixed-denomination marriage.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
German Catholics search for consolation in prayer after Berlin attack
“The past night has struck us and shaken us deeply,” Bishop Gebhard Furst told attendees at Rottenburg’s Cathedral of St. Martin.