The archbishop of Luxembourg says he thinks the matter of Church blessings for same-sex unions is not a settled matter. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has ruled against such blessings. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ made the comment in response to a question about Belgium’s Catholic bishops supporting blessings for unions of same-sex Read more
German Catholic bishops and lay leaders called for their church to bless same-sex relationships, challenging a Vatican ban on the practice. The move increased pressure on Pope Francis to respond to the Germans’ progressive drive, which conservatives have warned could split the worldwide church. At a meeting in Frankfurt on Friday, German church leaders voted Read more
When Antje Mahler came out as queer in her teens, her family struggled to come to terms with her sexuality. She struggled to come to terms with her spirituality. “Your religion is the first thing they take away from you when you come out of the closet,” said Mahler, who was raised Catholic in Bavaria, Read more
Priests and Catholic pastoral workers in Germany defied the Vatican on May 10 by conducting blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. Organisers held a day of protest in response to the Vatican’s recent declaration that the Church does not have the power to bless same-sex unions. The ceremonies, known as “Segnungsgottesdienste für Liebende,” or “blessing services Read more
Italian Cardinal, Camillo Ruini acknowledges there is a risk of schism in Germany over same-sex unions, however, he is hoping and praying it will not eventuate. “I hope with all my heart that there will not be any schism, and I pray for this,” Ruini told the Il Foglio newspaper. His comments come in response Read more
A mass same-sex blessing across 56 cities in Germany has been labelled “not helpful”. The president of the German Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing, has criticized the upcoming Catholic-backed initiative saying blessings should not be used as a political statement. The blessing service initiative was organised immediately after the Vatican formally said no to same-sex Read more