Leaving the Church in Germany: A Persisting Trend
The exodus from the church in Germany isn't slowing down, and 2023 is expected to maintain high numbers. However, the record-breaking drop among Catholics in 2022 in Germany might not be surpassed, suggesting that while the numbers will be high, they may not reach the same heights as the previous year.
In Munich, the Bavarian capital, the trend seems to be following a steady decline. The city reported 19,081 departures from religious communities by December 15, 2023, a decrease from the 26,000 reported during the same period in 2022.
Berlin, the German capital, saw a slight decrease in departures compared to the previous year, but the number remains elevated in 2023. By the end of September, 16,708 individuals had left the church, compared to 18,018 who departed during the same period in 2022.
Even in Freiburg, a region that has been affected by the Archbishop Robert Zollitsch scandal, the number of departures fell to 3149 by mid-December 2023, from 3698 in 2022.
Frankfurt am Main, a city located in Hesse, reported 7201 departures from the church in 2023, which represents a decrease of approximately 2000 from the previous year. The Catholic Church in Mainz, the state capital, also reported a high level of departures in 2023, with 3274 members leaving the two major churches by mid-December, maintaining the same pace as the 3878 resignations recorded in 2022.
North Rhine-Westphalia reported high levels of church departures in 2023, with the number of individuals leaving the Catholic and Protestant churches slightly lower than the record set in 2022.
The role of sexual abuse scandals cannot be ignored in the exodus from the church in Germany. In 2022, the Catholic Church in Munich and Freising experienced a significant scandal, which likely contributed to the spike in departures, particularly at the beginning of the year.
Religious educator Ulrich Riegel suggested that while nothing has changed to significantly impact the rate of departures, similarly disruptive events have not occurred either. He added that he expects the figures to remain high in 2023, regardless of whether a record is broken.
The demographic crisis in Germany may also be playing a role in the decline in church membership. The country is experiencing a rapid ageing of its population, with more people dying annually than children being born, which has significant consequences for prosperity and social security.
As of now, the cultural reorientation away from traditional religious values towards material security and personal independence is strongly contributing to the trend of individuals departing from the church in Germany.
