Germany

Catholic reformers at the end of the 6th Synodal Assembly:

Press release Stuttgart, 31 January 2026

The Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ), Parish Initiative, Catholic German Women's Association (KDFB), Maria 2.0, #OutInChurch, pro concilio and We Are Church draw a sobering conclusion at the end of the sixth and final Synodal Assembly in Stuttgart. Even before the assembly, eight Catholic reformers had clearly formulated their specific expectations and were present in Stuttgart.

Following the shocking findings of the MHG study, the German bishops, in joint responsibility with the Central Committee of German Catholics, launched a Synodal Path in 2019, which, despite all the difficulties, has attracted worldwide attention. Based on the risk factors of sexualised and spiritual violence and cover-ups according to the MHG study, the systemic causes of power structures, the image of priests, discrimination against women and sexual teaching have been intensively addressed, all of which are also obstacles to credible evangelisation. This is a great and lasting achievement.

Progress despite obstacles

At the same time, it should be noted that the Synodal Path has not fulfilled many expectations and hopes, nor could it do so. The current canon law regulations are too restrictive, making it impossible for the laity to participate effectively in important decisions. Added to this is the irresponsible withdrawal of individual bishops from the entire process. A major problem with all the results of the German Synodal Path to date is that, according to current canon law, the bishops still have ultimate responsibility, especially in the area of finances.

The Synodal Path has adopted good basic and action texts in the synodal assemblies and synodal forums, but these must now be implemented promptly and consistently. We are pleased that these texts, especially those on gender justice issues, are encouraging Christians around the world to actively pursue reforms in their own communities. However, it has also become clear that the hard-won decisions of the Synodal Path have so far received too little recognition in the Vatican. Therefore, further productive dialogue is urgently needed.

The presentation of the monitoring of the decisions has shown that more transparency is needed where implementation is still pending. Here, we call on the diocesan bishops to publish the findings from their dioceses. This has not been the case in the monitoring so far. Only in this way can the faithful demand consistent implementation at the local level. It remains a challenge to create safe places for all people, but especially for women, children, young people and queer people.

Continuing to live out synodality

And yet we look with gratitude to those who have supported and lived out the spirit of synodality and reform over the past six years. These were primarily the laity, but also some of the bishops. Here, we expect all participants to actively participate in the synodal deliberations in the future. The official final declaration adopted today summarises with necessary openness what the Synodal Path in Germany has initiated and achieved, but also what still needs to be worked on intensively so that our Church can once again become more credible and relevant to people.

New DBK chair election

Following the very regrettable resignation of Bishop Dr Georg Bätzing, we expect the German bishops to elect a new chair in a month's time who will be equally competent and consistent in implementing the reforms that the Synodal Path has developed so far. According to the 2023 Church Membership Survey, 96 per cent of German Catholics consider reforms to be urgently necessary.

We are glad that the Synodal Path is continuing in the Synodal Conference, whose statutes still have to be approved by the DBK and Rome. There must be no further problems or delays in this process. There is no turning back from the steps already taken towards greater synodality. This applies to all dioceses. The Church only has a future if it seriously involves everyone, supports diversity and sees it as an asset. We call on all Catholics to support the implementation of these reforms and to demand them in their parishes and dioceses.

BDKJ zieht gemischtes Fazit zum Synodalen Weg
> BDKJ-Pressemitteilung 31.1.2026

kfd blickt nach der 6. Synodalversammlung nach vorne Ernüchternde Bilanz mit Hoffnungsschimmer
> kfd.-Pressemitteilung 30.1.2026

Am Ende des Synodalen Wegs: Bilanz mit Fragezeichen - Aufbruch, Widerstand und offene Fragen
> katholisch.de 31.1.2026

 We are Church-Germany on Bishop Bätzing's resignation from his second term as DBK chairman

Press release, Munich, Bonn, January 20, 2026

We are Church It deeply regrets that, given the balance of power within the German Bishops' Conference (DBK), Bishop Dr. Georg Bätzing feels compelled to resign from a second term of office. We are Church considers this a severe setback for the painstakingly begun investigation of sexualized violence, for all upcoming reforms in the Roman Catholic Church in Germany and especially for the urgently needed reforms that were decided upon in the Synodal Path. We are Church fears that this will accelerate the Church's path to social insignificance.

Starting point MHG study

It should be remembered again and again: After the shocking results of the abuse study commissioned by the German Bishops' Conference, the MHG study, published in 2018, it was the German bishops who, under their then chairman, the Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx, approached the Central Committee of German Catholics in order to jointly find an answer to the deep church crisis through the –albeit canonically non-binding – „Synodal Path“. The stated aim was to address the systemic causes of sexualized violence and its cover-up through the four synodal forums „power, priests, women and sexuality“.

Under the DBK chairman Bishop Dr. Georg Bätzing, elected in March 2020, the Synodal Path has, despite all internal and external difficulties, developed essential, fundamental and action-oriented reform steps that are also receiving worldwide attention, as well as at the level of the worldwide Synodal Process begun by Pope Francis in 2021. At least the decisions of the Synodal Path to date must be consistently implemented in as many dioceses as possible in order to promote genuine synodality at the grassroots level.

Most difficult framework conditions

But it is a tragedy how the traditionalist divisive forces within the German bishops managed to slow down the Synodal Path from the beginning, block further work in the Synodal Committee, and now use their blocking minority to prevent Bishop Bätzing from being re-elected. The role of the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Nikola Eterović, who was still chosen by Pope Benedict and who has blocked any understanding between the Vatican and the Catholic Church in Germany over the past twelve years, is also extremely unpleasant. The weak position under canon law of the General Assembly of the German Bishops' Conference, which requires unanimous decisions, as well as the desired independence of each individual bishop ultimately lead to a catastrophic external image of the entire church leadership.

Recognition for Bishop Bätzing (updated)

We are Church thanks Bishop Georg Bätzing for his great commitment to advancing the arduous but urgently needed investigation of sexualized violence as DBK chairman. The „Synodal Way“ was his „passion project“ and more lay participation in decisions was very important to him. He advocated for the upcoming pastoral reforms, some of which - such as the women's diaconate - have been under discussion since the Würzburg Synod (1971-1975). Despite resistance from a minority within his own ranks and from Rome, he acted competently, openly and purposefully as a bridge builder and thus also influenced the church's public reputation in a positive way.

Press contact We are Church - Germany

Konrad Mundo (national team), email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: 030 5433982
Dr. Martin Schockenhoff, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: 0173 324891
Christian Weisner (national team), email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: 0172 518 4082

First opinion of We are Church - Germany on January 19, 2026

We are extremely sorry to the Church for Bishop Dr. Georg Bätzing's waiver of a second term of office. This is a bitter setback for all the upcoming reforms in the Catholic Church in Germany and especially for the urgently needed reforms of the Synodal Path. It is to be feared that this will further accelerate the Church's path to social insignificance.

Press Contact We are Church - Germany Federal Team

Christian Weisner, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: 0172 518 4082

Other voices on the announcement by Bishop Bätzing

kfd on Bishop Bätzing's decision: Respect and thanks for committed commitment in the Synodal Path

> kfd.de January 20, 2026

Philipp Gessler: "Too big" Why Bishop Georg Bätzing is no longer running as chairman of the German Bishops' Conference

> zeitzeichen.net 20.1.2026

With thanks to https://www.wir-sind-kirche.de/