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Crossing the line? DW: Conservative Catholics against blessing for all

Politiko 2025-04-28 10:38:58

Crossing the line? DW: Conservative Catholics against blessing for all

A group of conservative Catholics is criticizing new church regulations in Germany, according to which homosexuals can be blessed in church, as well as those who have remarried after divorce. In a statement published in Neuss (24.04.), the "New Beginning" initiative said: "We are presenting our objection to the German Bishops' Conference and the relevant authorities in Rome and demand the immediate withdrawal of this document."

The day before (April 23rd), the German Bishops' Conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) published a new regulation for spiritual advisors of believers. According to the document, "the door is open" also for "remarried couples after divorce, couples of all gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as those who do not want or cannot receive a blessing for marriage for other reasons."

Critics say the document goes beyond the red line of Canon Law. Although the document is considered "non-binding," it aims to legitimize a controversial practice through episcopal approval.

The Vatican makes a clear distinction between a spontaneous, everyday blessing and a liturgical act of blessing. The latter is still subject to certain special conditions. Remarriage and homosexual couples are excluded. The regulation is clear and does not provide further clarifications regarding the processing of blessings.

Result of the German reform journey

The Bishops' Conference and the ZdK consider the new regulation to be the result of a reform dialogue within the Catholic Church in Germany. According to representatives of these structures, the Vatican's recent openness to the blessing of homosexual unions was also taken into account. The regulation follows Pope Francis' approach, which is oriented towards pastoral care.

The "Out in Church" initiative also criticized the regulation, however in a more timid and gentle way. In their view, a mandatory manual for the liturgical organization of blessings is missing. However, this was expressly requested in the "Synodal Path". And yet homosexual couples continue to be discriminated against.

Part of the "Out in Church" initiative are around 123 employees and members of the Catholic Church who came out openly as queer, homosexual and transgender in January 2022./ DW

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