Germany
German Catholics petition Schleswig-Holstein state to reinstate God in constitution
By Luigi Serenelli — October 14, 2014
BERLIN (RNS) The Schleswig-Holstein parliament voted with a two-thirds majority to exclude mention of God from the new constitution, becoming the seventh of 16 German states to do so.
World War I at 100: New books examine the battle of beliefs behind the ‘Great War’
By Kimberly Winston — July 18, 2014
(RNS) “If you do not understand the messianic and apocalyptic imagery used by all sides, and how wide-ranging those images were among all classes, all groups, all nations, you cannot hope to understand the war," scholar Philip Jenkins says.
Germany publishes guide aimed at Jewish tourists
By Lauren Markoe — March 21, 2014
(RNS) An increasing number of Jewish people are traveling to Germany.
COMMENTARY: Reconciling Jews and Germany
By A. James Rudin — March 19, 2014
(RNS) Reconciliation is easy to say but difficult to achieve. Especially when personal and historic memories of guilt, responsibility, shame, anger, distrust and pain are present. And most especially in the case of Germany and the Jewish people.
Supreme Court rejects asylum bid for German home-schooling family
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — March 3, 2014
(RNS) Advocates for Uwe and Hannelore Romeike and their six children are now looking to Congress to pass a bill allowing the home-schooling family to remain in the U.S.
Danish Jews, Muslims fight for exemption to ritual slaughter ban
By Robin Herr — February 25, 2014
COPENHAGEN Denmark (RNS) The Danish government approved a measure earlier this month forbidding poultry and livestock to be killed without being stunned first. But Jewish and Muslim customs require animals to be conscious when killed.
Bishop’s suspension a symptom of German Catholic Church’s wealth
By Nele Mailin Obermueller — October 23, 2013
(RNS) As the new pontiff tries to reform the way the church does business, German dioceses, which reportedly include the world's wealthiest in Cologne, are chafing under the new direction as membership numbers continue to dwindle.
Nazi SS captain denied church funeral in Rome
By Eric J. Lyman — October 15, 2013
ROME (RNS) "It would be inappropriate to host a funeral for a man guilty of such atrocities and who never expressed regret even though he had many opportunities to do so," said the Rev. Alessandro Bianchi.
Vatican urges a slowdown in the rush to reform
By Eric J. Lyman — October 9, 2013
ROME (RNS) The Diocese of Freiburg in Germany recently broke ranks and said divorced and remarried Catholics could receive Communion if they were "trying to live according to their faith."
White House to home-schooling family: Sorry, no comment
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 14, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The White House punts on a petition to allow a German home-schooling family to stay in the U.S., saying the administration can't comment on "a matter before the courts."
Beyond the Berlin Wall: “Mr. Obama: Tear Down All These Walls.”
By Omid Safi — June 20, 2013
President Obama poetically stated: "No wall can stand against the yearning of justice,"
Yes indeed!
Mr. President, tear down all these walls.
Mr. President, tear down the segregation wall in Palestine/Israel.
Mr. President, tear down the wall along the American-Mexico border.
Mr. President, tear down these walls.
German home-schooling family loses U.S. asylum bid
By Krista Kapralos — May 15, 2013
(RNS) A federal appeals court has denied a bid by a German family to obtain asylum in the U.S., rejecting their claims that they will face persecution back home for their decision to home-school their children.
U.S. Christians rally around home-schooling family facing deportation
By Krista Kapralos — April 22, 2013
(RNS) Home-schooling families in Europe have become a cause celebre for some U.S. conservatives, who are rallying around a family in Tennessee who could face fines or loss of custody if forced to return to their native Germany.
Lutherans warn Vatican against simpler conversions
By Alessandro Speciale — January 23, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Lutheran leaders have warned the Vatican that the creation of a structure to welcome conservative Lutherans into the Catholic Church would harm dialogue and damage ecumenical relations.
Jews and Muslims applaud German vote to protect circumcision
By Lauren Markoe — December 12, 2012
(RNS) Jews and Muslims in Germany are relieved that a tumultuous political controversy over circumcision in Germany has ended with passage of a law that allows the practice for religious reasons. By Lauren Markoe.
