Germany
Dying ‘the Buddhist way’ gains in hospice centers in the West
By Ken Chitwood — November 12, 2020
(RNS) — The emergence of Buddhist-oriented hospices in the U.S. and elsewhere is said to show a dissatisfaction with conventional Western views of life and death.
German theologian spearheads transition to a ‘gender appropriate’ Catholic Church
By Claire Giangravé — February 17, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a country with a long tradition of outspoken theologians, Agnes Wuckelt has her say about Germany's Catholic bishops' two-year summit studying the Church's beliefs on sexuality, love and priestly life.
Reform US rabbi in Dresden explains ultra-Orthodox traditions to German Jews
By Tom Heneghan — December 20, 2019
PARIS (RNS) — The story of Akiva Weingarten, an ultra-Orthodox New Yorker who was ordained in Israel and started over as a Reform rabbi in Germany, sounds like a made-for-TV movie saga.
How the infamous Oberammergau Passion Play is evolving
By Noam E. Marans — November 21, 2019
(RNS) — For the past three decades, the most heinous anti-Jewish excesses of the world's most famous Passion play have been slowly eliminated, but more work needs to be done.
Yom Kippur shooting in Germany latest indication of increasing anti-Semitism
By Associated Press — October 10, 2019
(AP) — The shooting that left two dead and several injured as Jews observed Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for their faith, has shined a spotlight on the worldwide rise of anti-Semitic incidents.
Campaign posters in ‘Luther country’ raise specter of anti-Semitism
By Ken Chitwood — October 9, 2019
ERFURT, Germany (RNS) — Today, the question remains which part of Luther's legacy will have the greater impact on the upcoming election.
2 killed in shooting near German synagogue; 1 person arrested
By Geir Moulson and Jens Meyer — October 9, 2019
HALLE, Germany (AP) — An attacker tried to force his way into the synagogue in the city of Halle but did not get in as 70 to 80 people inside were observing Yom Kippur, a local Jewish leader said.
Gathering of German bishops tests Pope Francis’ efforts for decentralization
By Claire Giangravé — September 17, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Following an attempt by the Vatican to exercise control over its upcoming and reform-driven gathering, the Catholic Church in Germany has made it clear that it has no intention of backing down, proving to be yet another wedge in the internal church wars that have plagued Pope Francis' six-year papacy.
German town welcomes hundreds from different faiths for food, worship and unity
By Adelle M. Banks — August 23, 2019
LINDAU, Germany (RNS) — During breaks in their four-day meeting, many delegates to the Religions for Peace global assembly found time to explore the town of about 25,000 people.
Why I am considering wearing a kippah in public
By Jeffrey Salkin — May 31, 2019
To wear a kippah in Germany is a sign of defiance. What about us?
Pew study finds continued support in Western Europe for paying church taxes
By Tom Heneghan — April 30, 2019
PARIS (RNS) — Despite a noted lack of attendance on Sundays, Western Europeans don't mind paying to keep established churches open, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center.
German military to appoint Jewish chaplains and open forces to Muslim imams, too
By Tom Heneghan — April 5, 2019
(RNS) — After the Holocaust, Jewish males born in postwar Germany were exempted from military service, but about 300 volunteers are now in uniform.
Germany continues payments to churches a century after deciding to stop
By Tom Heneghan — February 13, 2019
PARIS (RNS) — The state subsidies to churches have survived due to a provision in the law that makes ending them more costly than continuing to pay.
Bible museum is first in US to show mile-long illustrated Bible
By Menachem Wecker — October 25, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Working in obscurity, a German artist created an accordioning illustrated Bible that, fully expanded, would stretch more than a mile.
Jewish lobby in far-right German party denounced for anti-Muslim views
By Tom Heneghan — October 15, 2018
(RNS) — The group's manifesto said mass migration threatened Jews because Muslims were brought up with anti-Semitic views and the AfD was 'the only party in Germany that tackles the issue of Muslim hatred of Jews and doesn’t make excuses for it.'
