Term ends for controversial president of German Bishops

In a letter to the members of the Bishops' Conference, Bishop Bätzing stated that he has decided not to stand for election as president of the organization he has led for six years.

He nevertheless expressed his hope that the new leadership would continue “to have the courage to speak openly, to engage in constructive debate, and to be willing to reach out to one another.”

The German bishops, who will meet in Würzburg from February 23 to 26, will have to find a successor to the Bishop of Limburg. His term of office has been marked by the “Synodale Weg,” a process launched in 2019, in part in response to the abuse crisis.

This led in 2023 to controversial measures calling for profound changes in the organization of the Church, particularly in terms of doctrine. Some of the proposals were strongly criticized by Pope Francis as well as high-ranking representatives of the Roman Curia.

Despite the fact that he does not speak Italian, Bishop Bätzing became Rome's privileged interlocutor in a sometimes heated dialogue. The disagreement concerned in particular the creation of a synodal body planned for 2026, which the Holy See considered a possible challenge to the authority of the bishops.

However, tensions have eased recently. Leo XIV is familiar with the issue, having participated in several meetings between the Curia and the Germans when he was prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

At the end of the last meeting on November 12, it was agreed that the German bishops could continue to prepare for the launch of a “synodal conference.” However, its statutes would be subject to the approval of the Holy See. According to a recent presentation by Archbishop Stephan Burger of Freiburg, this assembly, made up of a majority of lay people, will have a “deliberative” role, i.e., only an advisory role in legal matters.

During his tenure, Bishop Bätzing has also spoken out against the rise of nationalism in his country. He is opposed to the idea that members of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party should be allowed to hold official positions in Catholic Church organizations.

In Germany, other changes await the local Catholic Church. The apostolic nuncio in Berlin, Archbishop Nikola Eterović, may also soon leave the post he has held since 2013, according to the official website of the Catholic Church in Germany. The Croatian diplomat reached the official retirement age (75) on January 20.