Monsignor Bätzing has resigned from his role as the head of the German Bishops’ Conference. The president of the episcopate will step down from the position he has held since 2020 at the end of February, even though the statutes allowed for reelection.
It was during his mandate, which began in 2019, that the height of the German synodal path was carried out. The initial goal was to repair the Church’s image and respond to the major abuse crisis. Between 1946 and 2014, more than 3,500 victims were recorded.
What began as a process with a two-year limit has extended to more than six years. During this time, a synodal agenda was gradually introduced, generating greater and greater controversies with Rome.
The German bishops addressed contentious issues such as mandatory celibacy, blessings for same-sex couples, and women’s access to ordained ministry.
MSGR. GEORG BÄTZING
President, German Episcopal Conference
The issues are on the table. The main one is: what is the role and position of women in the Catholic Church, including with regard to decision-making and access to sacramental ministries?
FLASH
But this is where impatience is greatest, because many young women say that a Church that rejects this cannot be my Church in the long term.
The highest point of friction with Rome arose after the Holy See repeatedly warned the German bishops that these were doctrinal and disciplinary matters that could not be decided at the local level, and that many of their positions were incompatible with Catholic doctrine.
Over the years, there have been several meetings between Germany and the Holy See. The last of them took place on November 12, 2025. Now, all that remains is to wait for the election of the new president and to see how the situation develops from there.
CA
Trans. CRT
