Head of German Bishops criticises Pope Benedict and Cardinal Woelki. Wants the World Synod to be bounced quickly into reform.

The crisis of trust in the Archdiocese of Cologne is affecting the church throughout Germany, says Bishop Bätzing. He also comments on Cardinal Marx's offer to resign and on allegations of cover-up against Benedict XVI. – and to Archbishop Gänswein.

From the perspective of the chairman of the German Bishops' Conference (DBK), Georg Bätzing, the crisis of trust in the Archdiocese of Cologne is affecting the church throughout Germany. Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki has "lost people's acceptance," said Bätzing in an interview with the weekly magazine "Die Zeit" (Thursday): "Cologne is not only a frontrunner when it comes to leaving the church, now people all over the country are leaving because of Cologne ."

The Limburg bishop drew a parallel with his own predecessor Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst. He resigned in 2014 due, among other things, to public pressure for concealing the costs of his official residence and residence. Bätzing sees Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx's offer of resignation differently. The bishop continued: "Marx offered his resignation in order to say: I have been a bishop for 25 years, we have all protected the system, I am setting an example. But the Pope refused."

Bätzing also defended Cardinal Woelki against the accusation of perjury: "There is something unworthy about all attempts to prosecute him." The Archbishop of Cologne “probably did not make any serious mistakes” when dealing with abuse. Bätzing added that the Archdiocese of Cologne also did the right thing by waiving the defense of the statute of limitations in a claim for compensation for pain and suffering brought by a person affected by abuse. According to the verdict, which has now become legally binding, a former altar boy is entitled to the historically high sum of 300,000 euros: "But that was only possible because the case was documented beyond doubt. As a church, we see the burden that renewed evidence would mean for the victims. In the case in question If so, we would have made the same decision in Limburg."

Bätzing: Benedict XVI. should have apologized

The DBK chairman also criticized the late Pope Benedict XVI. for its handling of cases of sexual abuse by priests. "I wish that Joseph Ratzinger had said about his time as Archbishop of Munich: I had responsibility back then, I don't care whether I was in a particular meeting. I apologize for what was done to the victims by the transfer of an abuser." said Bätzing. In this way, the German Pope could have strengthened his authority. An abuse report published in January 2022 accuses the former head of the church of incorrect behavior in four cases when dealing with allegations of abuse against priests during his time as Archbishop of Munich and Freising (1977-1982). There was also a statement from Benedict XVI. in a particularly explosive case of a repeat offender proved to be false.

He supports Pope Francis “one hundred percent,” emphasizes Bishop Bätzing.

At the same time, Bätzing regretted that Pope Francis did not assign a permanent task to Benedict's former secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein. "It's not an easy situation, especially for him," said the Limburg bishop. Gänswein returned from the Vatican to his former home diocese of Freiburg in July. After consultation with Archbishop Stephan Burger, he may take on individual assignments such as confirmations or local festive services. In addition, the long-time papal secretary wants to hold regular church services in the Freiburg cathedral from autumn onwards. Bätzing said in an interview that he had not spoken to Gänswein since his return.

The DBK chairman also praised the role of the media in dealing with abuse in the Catholic Church. "I don't think the journalists are to blame for the misery. Without them, we wouldn't be nearly as far along in clarifying abuse," said Bätzing. He was grateful that those affected raised their voices in front of journalists and that they then stood by their side, he added: "We didn't start working on it out of our own free will and self-knowledge, but rather under pressure from those affected." Nevertheless, he is also depressed by the fact that “the many wonderful things in our church are hardly ever made public.” For him, as chairman of the bishops' conference, it was exhausting to "chase after scandals," Bätzing confessed: "But since I'm better at long distances than sprints and - most of the time - I tend to be objective, that's fine."

Bätzing: I'm hoping for quick reform votes from the World Synod

When it comes to the ordination of women, celibacy, sexual morality and other reform debates in the Catholic Church, the DBK chairman is relying on the first meeting of the World Synod in October. The Limburg bishop said he was hoping for a “quick vote” from this: “Our church people no longer have patience.” There is no confrontation between Rome and the bishops in Germany, Bätzing continued. The resolution texts of the German Synodal Way are recommendations for action that should be coordinated with the universal church. "It's not about texts, but about changing actions. This requires arguments and agreements," explained the bishop: "That's what we're used to in our democratic culture. They don't understand that in the Curia."

At the same time, the chairman of the bishops' conference defended Pope Francis against the accusation of wanting to slow down the reform, for example by banning a synodal council in Germany in which bishops and lay people should discuss and make decisions together. Rome only “strengthened the understanding that this needs to be prepared,” explained Bätzing. In addition, the head of the church cannot decide what the German bishops want, but must “unify the universal church.” The bishop emphasized that he supports Francis "one hundred percent": "I tell him that our Catholics are worried about whether their church will survive. We have to talk to the Pope about this without fear."

Source