Germany and the great fear of schism

The pressure exerted by certain groups of German Catholics is seen by some Vatican officials as a threat to "the unity of the Church"

Catholics in Germany have no intention of leaving the universal Church... It’s an issue that has fueled conversations at the Vatican in recent months, particularly since the German Church launched its "synodal path" back in 2019.

"Pope Francis is well aware of the situation of the Church in Germany." Bishop Georg Bätzing, the president of the German Bishops' Conference, wanted to dispel the rumors.

As he left the pope's office last Thursday, the bishop of Limburg essentially said: No, Catholics in Germany have no intention of leaving the universal Church.

It's an issue that has fueled conversations at the Vatican in recent months, particularly since the German Church launched its "synodal path" back in 2019.

Some reflection groups involved in the process have called for the faithful to be able to elect their bishops and even ordain women priests.There are so many different proposals challenging the Vatican that some leaders quietly express fears of "an inevitable schism".

And the pope is worried about threats to Church unity."No one knows how far the Germans will go, but it's potentially explosive," said an official in Rome.Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See's secretary of state, has also voiced concern about "the unity of the Church" at least twice in recent months."

I don't think there's a risk of schism," a senior Vatican official said. It is true that the Church in Germany, which continues to see a decline in membership, is also one of the richest in the world. It received 6.76 billion euros in 2019 through the religious tax.

And with that type of money the German Church provides crucial financial support to the Vatican and is an indispensable donor to projects that support many persecuted Christian minorities.