[5] He worked as assistant priest (Kaplan) at the pilgrimage church Maria Heimsuchung in Klausen and in the parish of St. Josef [de] in Koblenz until 1990.

It stated that the German bishops "are not empowered to create a governing or decision-making synodal assembly" made up of clergy and laity.

[15][16] In 2021 he, told KNA on that he was "not happy" that the Vatican had now decided to participate so determinedly in the debate on blessings for homosexual couples.

He added that "It suggests that one wants to end the ongoing controversial theological discussions [on the subject] in various parts of the World Church, including in Germany, as soon as possible".

[17] In March 2022, in an interview with Bunte, he stated that sex outside of marriage is not a sin[18][additional citation(s) needed] and that same-sex relationships are "OK if it's done in fidelity and responsibility".

[18][additional citation(s) needed] In May 2022, Bätzing expressed disappointment that Pope Francis had not changed the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding homosexuality and women's ordination.

"[19] In November 2022, Bätzing spoke at a news conference at the end of a week of talks between Pope Francis and Vatican officials on one side, and all of Germany's bishops on the other.