German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier lamented the diminished standing of Christian churches in German society and urged greater engagement with religion in a speech at a gathering of German Catholics on Wednesday. Steinmeier praised the commitment of Christians to democracy and to the poor, marginalized and desperate people in society. That is “all the more reason why I can only deeply regret that the churches are experiencing such a great loss of approval and trust,” Steinmeier said in his speech in the central German city of Erfurt. “One must speak of an epochal change.” Steinmeier spoke…