Poll finds nearly one-third of Germans support Protestant-Catholic church merger

A recent survey conducted by the polling institute INSA-Consulere for the evangelical magazine IDEA indicates that 31% of Germans support a merger between the country’s Protestant and Catholic churches. Conversely, 34% of respondents oppose such a union, while 35% remained undecided or did not provide an answer. The poll, which surveyed 2,010 citizens between October 23 and 26, 2026, reflects ongoing discussions regarding the future of Germany's two largest religious institutions amid long-term membership declines.

Support for unification varied significantly across denominational lines. Catholic respondents showed the highest level of support at 44%, while members of mainline Protestant regional churches were more likely to oppose a merger, with 42% against and 35% in favor. Opposition was most pronounced among members of independent free churches, where 50% rejected the idea. Demographic data also revealed that women and individuals at the youngest and oldest ends of the age spectrum were generally more open to the prospect of a unified church than other groups.