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Frauenkirche in Dresden
Image: picture-alliance/Arco Images

Protestant Church in Germany

The Protestant Church in Germany (Evangelische Kirche Deutschland) is a federation of twenty Lutheran, Reformed, and United Protestant regional Churches in Germany.

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All Content on this topic

The graveyard of the Mariawald abbey in the Eifel region, which belongs to a Cistercian order in North Rhine-Westphalia, pictured in 2016

Germany's monasteries and convents dying out

The number of people in monastic orders in Germany is sinking, with many convents and monasteries facing dissolution.
ReligionJuly 6, 2025
Cross on the roof of the Berliner Dom

German election: Churches go political amid social divisions

The main churches in Germany have voiced clear political opinions ahead of elections. Not all are pleased.
SocietyFebruary 16, 2025
hand holding a red poster reading "Church asylum means solidarity"

More and more refugees seek protection in churches

In Germany, religious communities have offered asylum to refugees for decades. But now authorities are intervening.
ReligionJune 1, 2024
The highly decorated door to the St Nicolas Church in Stralsund

Protestant Church in Germany faces sexual abuse allegations

Over 9,000 young people have been victims of sexual abuse. But critics say report only reveals the "tip of the iceberg."
ReligionJanuary 25, 2024
congregation sitting next to huge Christmas Tree on December 24, Berlin Central Station

Berlin's Christmas service for homeless at central station

Where can you celebrate Christmas Eve in Berlin if you have no home of your own? One option is at the central station.
SocietyDecember 23, 2023
Annette Kurschus, standing in front of a microphone. Undated file photo.

Germany: Top Protestant church official resigns

However, Annette Kurschus also said allegations of having covered up sexual abuse within the church were unfounded.
ReligionNovember 20, 2023
A nightview over the Rhine River with the illuminated Cologne Cathederal on the other side, and ferry boats lined up along the river.

Germany and its churches wrangle over Napoleon's asset grab

Why the German state pays millions of euros to the Christian churches, and shedding the burden could cost it dearly.
BusinessJune 13, 2023
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, wearing a bright shawl and backed by a large group of individuals, speaks into a microphone to open the Protestant Kirchentag

Germany: 'Time for arms' at Protestant Church Assembly

In the past, Germany's Protestant Church Assembly has been dominated by debates about disarmament. Not this year.
SocietyJune 9, 2023
A church in Schwangau, Bavaria

Record numbers leaving Germany's churches

Fifteen years ago, 61% of Germans belonged to Protestant or Catholic churches. That number has now dropped below 50%.
ReligionJune 28, 2022
Meet the Germans host Rachel Stewart looks into the camera while standing in a church and holding a large book

Germany and the church

Rachel Stewart looks at Germany's religious history and the presence of the church in public life today.
CultureApril 13, 202207:23 min
Deutsche Welle Strack Christoph Portrait

Churches in Germany need a change in outlook

Christoph Strack
A Christian majority has always been taken for granted in Germany. But membership in the two main churches is dwindling.
ReligionJanuary 2, 2022
A cross atop a Lutheran church in Osnabrück

Germany: Study starts on sexual abuse in Protestant Church

The aim of the three-year study is to analyze the structural and systemic conditions that have facilitated abuse.
ReligionOctober 28, 2021
Empty church pews

Leaving the church in Germany: 'A liberation'

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people withdraw from official church membership. Religious leaders are concerned.
ReligionJuly 14, 2021
A person with COVID mask sits on huge blue chair by blue table in central Franfurt

Germany's Christian churches show unity

Against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, Germany's Christian churches meet for a digital ecumenical assembly.
ReligionMay 12, 2021
A disabled man puts flowers near Oberlin care clinic on April 29, 2021 in Potsdam, Germany

Bewilderment after killings at German disabled home

Potsdam is reeling after four unexplained killings in a disabled residency.
CrimeApril 29, 2021
Deutschland Worms Lutherdenkmal

Germany marks 500 years since Diet of Worms

Five centuries ago, Martin Luther refused to withdraw his criticism of the Catholic Church. The rest is history.
ReligionApril 16, 2021
Candles and musician with a COVID mask

COVID: Another 'Silent Easter' in Berlin

A Protestant pastor watched half the residents of the nursing home in his parish lose their lives during the pandemic.
SocietyApril 2, 2021
Scene from the movie Vision

6 facts about church influence in Germany

How Christian is Germany? A look at the influence of Catholic and Protestant churches in six facts.
ReligionApril 1, 2021
A man lies in palliative care in a care home

Germany seeks to regulate assisted suicide

A new draft law that would give "everyone a right to self-determined death" is facing stiff opposition in parliament.
SocietyJanuary 29, 2021
Alexander Görlach

Has the Catholic Church had its day?

Alexander Görlach
Churches, and particularly the Catholic Church, have become anachronistic institutions, writes Alexander Görlach.
ReligionOctober 14, 2020
Relief Julius von Jan an der Martinskirche Lenningen

Yad Vashem honors German pastor for standing up for Jews

Pastor Julius von Jan bravely spoke out against the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany.
HistoryOctober 14, 2020