"Since his appointment in November 2025, he has often heard people of immigrant background exclaim, 'At last!' Pottackal, now 48, told DW that he believes they mean that 'now it's acknowledged that they, too, belong to the Catholic Church in Germany.' For him, that is a 'wonderful motivation,' especially given how many Christians in Germany have a migration history."
"For the Catholic Church in Germany, this marks a historic step—almost a sensation. Until now, those who became Catholic bishops in Germany typically came from a conventional German middle-class background. Pottackal is the first bishop in Germany to have been born outside Europe."
"According to the German Bishops' Conference, around 3.4 million Catholics in the country hold at least one foreign citizenship—out of a total of just under 20 million. Many dioceses also estimate how many of their faithful speak a language other than German at home."
Father Joshy Pottackal, a 48-year-old Carmelite priest originally from India, is consecrated as an auxiliary bishop in Mainz Cathedral, marking a historic moment for the Catholic Church in Germany. He is the first bishop in the country born outside Europe. His appointment signals recognition that immigrant Catholics belong to the German Catholic Church, a sentiment expressed by many people of immigrant background. As an auxiliary bishop, Pottackal will assist the diocesan bishop by visiting parishes, administering confirmations, and representing the church. Approximately 3.4 million Catholics in Germany hold foreign citizenship out of nearly 20 million total, with many dioceses recognizing that numerous faithful speak languages other than German at home.
#catholic-church-leadership #immigration-and-integration #religious-diversity-in-germany #historic-appointment
Read at www.dw.com
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