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:
Dr. Martin Schockenhoff, email:
Christian Weisner (national team), email:
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:
Other voices on the announcement by Bishop Bätzing
kfd on Bishop Bätzing's decision: Respect and thanks for committed commitment in the Synodal Path
Philipp Gessler: "Too big" Why Bishop Georg Bätzing is no longer running as chairman of the German Bishops' Conference
With thanks to https://www.wir-sind-kirche.de/