As Catholics around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, a revealing and controversial development in the post-Francis Church is unfolding almost unnoticed. One of the most prominent figures of the late pontiff’s progressive appointments, Bishop Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, used his Easter Vigil sermon not to reflect solely on the Resurrection—but to launch a pointed political attack on President Donald J. Trump and the United States.
Bätzing, infamous among conservatives for his heterodox positions, once again used the pulpit to push his globalist, left-wing worldview. A vocal supporter of same-sex blessings, women’s ordination, and the abolition of priestly celibacy, Bätzing has long drawn criticism for prioritizing progressive politics over traditional Catholic teaching.
A Sermon Steeped in Secular Politics
In his Easter remarks, Bätzing expressed alarm over what he described as America’s slide into autocracy, indirectly blaming Trump for a supposed breakdown of democratic institutions in the United States.
“Since [the election of Trump], democratic structures in North America have been rebuilt in an authoritarian way,” Bätzing declared, according to Tagesspiegel. He accused the Trump administration of attacking media freedom, firing civil servants, closing borders, terminating international agreements, and reintroducing punitive tariffs.
Though Trump’s name was not directly mentioned, the message was unmistakable. Bätzing likened Trump’s foreign policy to the actions of “great powers” in “dark times,” claiming the U.S. under Trump had disrespected the sovereignty of smaller nations and destabilized the global order.
Political Pulpit or Religious Leadership?
Rather than focusing on the resurrection of Christ, Bätzing’s sermon was filled with commentary on Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict, COVID-19, and climate change, painting a picture of a bishop more preoccupied with progressive talking points than the eternal truths of the faith.
He went so far as to condemn the U.S. stance on Ukraine, calling Trump’s pressure-based diplomacy with Russia “a scandal” and accusing the administration of “abandoning Ukraine to the aggressor.”
This politicization of the pulpit has become typical for Bätzing, who has also been criticized for promoting a priest under investigation for sexual harassment—a scandal that undermines his claims to moral authority.
Legacy of a Progressive Pontificate
Bätzing’s rise under Pope Francis exemplifies the broader tensions within the Church under the outgoing pontiff’s leadership. Many traditional Catholics view the German bishop’s agenda as an attempt to dismantle core Catholic teachings under the guise of modernity and inclusion.
Even as he briefly called on the faithful to combat fear with “the power of Christian faith,” Bätzing’s Easter message fell flat with those hoping for a homily centered on Christ’s resurrection.
“The purpose of the annual Easter celebration,” he said, “is to help our hearts seeking support and our wavering reason to make this decision of faith.”
But to many faithful Catholics, Bätzing’s brand of faith appears more grounded in ideology than theology—more a reflection of globalist orthodoxy than divine truth.
As the Catholic Church prepares for a post-Francis era, Bätzing’s sermon serves as a stark reminder of the deep ideological divide within the hierarchy—and the urgent need to restore clarity, conviction, and reverence to the mission of the Church.