Number of people studying Catholic theology shrinking rapidly in Germany. Synodalist professors running out of students to corrupt with modernism. The Rhine that once flowed into the Tiber is drying up.
This poses problems for the church as an employer
Almost 10,000 fewer students than ten years ago: Studying Catholic theology has apparently lost its appeal for many aspiring academics. This exacerbates the Church's already growing personnel problems.
A theology degree no longer only qualifies for work in church service: Many theologians now work in journalism, politics and human resources management, business consulting, and continuing education. This is good news for academic theology: It can apparently live up to its academic and socially relevant standards.
But is it also good news for the Catholic Church? After all, it relies on theology graduates for pastoral careers and religious education teaching positions. But by no means limited to these fields: Theologians and their expertise are also deployed in church administrations and institutions. However, student numbers have declined rapidly in recent years. A reversal of this trend is not currently expected.
Almost 10,000 fewer than 10 years ago
According to current data from the German Bishops' Conference, there are 11 Catholic theological faculties at state universities, 34 Catholic theological institutes, 5 diocesan theological faculties, 3 religious colleges, one Catholic university, 5 Catholic universities (of applied sciences), and 2 church colleges of church music nationwide. In the winter semester of 2023/24, 12,740 people were studying Catholic theology at these institutions. That's almost 1,600 fewer students than the previous year and almost 10,000 fewer than ten years ago.
For the Church as an employer, this poses several problems. While student numbers are declining dramatically, the baby boomer generation is also reaching retirement. This is particularly evident among priests: The number of secular and religious priests nationwide in 2023 was 11,702. That's almost 3,500 fewer clergy than in 2010.
It's also worth taking a look at other pastoral professions. According to the German Bishops' Conference, in 2024 the number of pastoral assistants in Germany fell below 3,000 for the first time in 20 years. Until 2018, the numbers had risen continuously; Now, a decline is emerging. The number of parish assistants also fell below 4,000 last year for the first time in around 25 years.
Dioceses are undergoing profound restructuring
German dioceses are currently in the midst of profound restructuring. They must respond to the decline in membership, church tax revenues, and the strained personnel situation. In many places, lay people – including all trained theologians without ordination – will be able and required to assume more responsibility and newly created leadership positions within parish structures. This may be perceived as a positive development at first glance, but its implementation is proving difficult. Church circles are reporting that positions to be filled by qualified theologians are not a sure thing.
Academic institutions offering theology studies are also under pressure. The humanities in Germany are generally experiencing a downward trend. According to the Federal Statistical Office, a good 20 percent fewer students are beginning such studies today than 20 years ago. Furthermore, the funding policy of the German Research Foundation (DFG) is causing discontent. The Philosophical, Protestant, and Catholic Theological Faculties recently complained that funding for socially relevant research projects focusing on religion and religiosity is significantly underrepresented.
The Archdiocese of Cologne is committed to strengthening its own university.
Theological faculties, in particular, are still endowed with a relatively high number of professorships, not least due to Roman regulations and the concordats. According to the Bishops' Conference, there are currently around 350 professors. It will be closely observed in the coming years whether all these chairs will be retained when new appointments are due in many places. After all, the institutions are under pressure to justify their position not only due to a lack of students and financial resources. A glaring problem in recruiting young people is exacerbating this situation. For example, there is now only one habilitated person for every vacant professorship. The process for ecclesiastical teaching licenses, the so-called "Nihil Obstat," and the associated lack of transparency do not increase the attractiveness of the profession.
Archdiocese of Cologne builds on its own university
Furthermore, the fact that, while women still make up the majority of students in undergraduate theology programs, their proportion is declining rapidly at higher qualification levels, reaching its lowest point in the professorship ranks. The Church, too, is struggling to retain women in leadership positions – with varying intensity depending on the diocese. Twenty of the 27 dioceses, along with church aid organizations and Caritas, are participating in the "Church in Mentoring. Women Rise Up" support program offered by the Hildegardis Association.
Overall, attempts to respond to these challenges are diverse. Many academic theological institutions now offer degree programs that link theological questions in an interdisciplinary manner in collaboration with other faculties and institutes. The Archdiocese of Cologne, on the other hand, which is home to the faculty at the University of Bonn and the institute in the cathedral city, is committed to strengthening its own diocesan university. Last fall, the Bishops' Conference issued two statements on the place of theology in society and the academic landscape. The Faculty Day welcomed both statements. Whether these self-assurance processes will also ensure stability in student numbers remains to be seen.
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