Front-row Vatican coverage:

The exodus of German Catholics

by Dennis Coday

View Author Profile

dcoday@ncronline.org

Join the Conversation

June 25, 2010

German Catholics are leaving the church in record numbers, according to the latest figures in this report from Religion News Service: Abuse may lead to exodus of German Catholics

It may have attracted the attention of the hierarchy.

"This high number of departures cannot leave us at peace. Anyone who leaves the church wants to fulfill his faith and his life's desires without the church in the future," said Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg, the bishops' president, in a recent statement.

"That kind of decision always raises questions directed at us from which we cannot shy away."

Latest News

Pope Leo XIV greets people as he arrives in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, July 6, 2025, after reciting the Angelus at the Vatican. (CNS/Vatican Media)
Guest Voices
Opinion

Norah O'Donnell hopes Pope Leo XIV moves the church forward for women

Norah O’Donnell
Vatican

The Leo Chronicles: Letters for Leo

Pat Marrin
Sr. Mary Courtney visits a patient. Courtney is a member of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa. (Derrick Silimina)

Q&A with Sr. Mary Courtney, fighting HIV/AIDS, supporting mental health in Zambia

Damage can be seen next to the cross on the roof of the Holy Family Church in Gaza after it was hit in an attack July 17, 2025. At least three people died and another 10 were injured, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who sustained a slight injury to his right leg. (CNS/Courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need, UK)
Vatican News
Vatican

Palestinian leader calls pope as Gaza pastor recounts Israeli shelling of church

Justin McLellanOSV News

Advertisement