Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic and Lutheran communities in Germany. Germany has a population of 56 million, two thirds Christian: just over 28 million Catholics, almost 28 million Lutherans and about one million members of other Christian confessions. The remaining third of the people are either non believers, or Muslims or Jews.
Basic German Law guarantees freedom of belief, conscience, religion or ideology and freedom of practice of religion. Germany has no state Church. Church/State relations are based on partnership regulated by the Constitution and certain agreements and contracts. Some institutions run by the Churches, kindergartens and schools for example, are partly state funded.
German Christians pay a church tax to the state which is then given to the Catholic or Lutheran community. Most of the clergy are formed at public universities. The Churches have a right of inspection with regard to the assignment of for Chairs of Theology. Vatican II instructions with regard to participation in Catholic Church activities are implemented with elected lay representatives group in 140 federations and institutions within the central committee of German Catholics.
In Germany the Catholic Church is organised in seven archdioceses, 20 dioceses. There are more than 70 bishops who meet twice a year in spring and autumn plenary assemblies of the Bishops' Conference presided by Cardinal Karl Lehmann Bishop of Mainze. On 19 April 2005 German Cardinal Joseph Alois Ratzinger, born 16 April 1927, was elected as the first German Pope.
The Lutheran Church in Germany (EKE/Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland) is a group of 24 regional Lutheran Churches, reformed and united which have considerable autonomy. The Church is ruled by the Synod presided at the moment by Bishop Wolfgang Huber. The Lutheran Church in Germany works in close collaboration with the Catholic Church and is a member of the World Council of Churches. (to be continued) (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/6/2007 - righe 36, parole 510)
