Tens of Thousands Leave Churches in Germany in 2023
Record Exodus Amidst Stalemate on Church Reforms
Majority of Departures from Catholic Church
A record number of people in Germany have left the Catholic Church in 2023, with nearly half a million members departing. According to the German Bishops' Conference, over 20.9 million Catholics remain in the country, a significant decline from previous years.
The exodus is part of a wider trend of church disaffiliation in Germany, which has been ongoing for several years. Experts attribute the departures to a range of factors, including ongoing debates over the church's stance on LGBTQ+ rights and the mishandling of sexual abuse allegations by clergy.
The Catholic Church has acknowledged the need for reforms and has promised to address concerns raised by members. However, many believe that the pace of change has been too slow, leading to disillusionment and disengagement.
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