German Catholic leaders plan huge same-sex blessing

Monday, April 19th, 2021

Several German Catholic leaders are openly supporting the blessing of same-sex couples and overtly challenging the Vatican.

A massive blessing service event called “Love wins, blessing service for lovers” has been scheduled for May 10, in direct opposition to Rome’s chief doctrinal office.

Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen said priests in his diocese will face no canonical consequence if they decide to bless gay and lesbian couples in the event.

“Love wins. Love is a blessing,” says the website for the event. “People who love each other are blessed. On May 10th, 2021, we invite you to various places in Germany for blessing services.

“We don’t want to exclude anyone. We celebrate the diversity of people’s different life plans and love stories, and ask for God’s blessings. Without any secrecy.

“On this page, you will find the services that take place. You can register for a service and send us a blessing.”

Organizers also ask that on that day, Catholics in Germany use “creative symbols to make visible how many people in the Church perceive the colorful diversity of different life plans and love stories of people as an enrichment and a blessing.”

Bishop Overbeck argued on Easter that there are “many blessings for gay couples” in Germany. He also said that the Catholic Church is not supposed to reject gay people. But it should “find ways for homosexuals to be able to live together.”

Overbeck’s stance is in direct opposition to a statement released by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on March 15 with papal approval.

The document, technically an answer to a question posed to the CDF, argues that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions because “God does not bless sin.”

The response caused division both among the faithful and the hierarchy. This was highlighted in Germany, which is currently undergoing a synodal path to address the Church’s response to clerical sexual abuse. At the same time, it is reviewing Church teaching on human sexuality, priestly celibacy and the ban on ordaining women into the priesthood.

While many bishops oppose the CDF’s response, several high-ranking German prelates support the response. The group includes Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, Archbishop of Cologne; Bishop Stephan Burger of Freiburg; and Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg.