CNA reports that Pope Francis has appointed Fr Maurizio Chiodi to the DDF. Chiodi is known for his view that the use of contraception within marriage is acceptable and that same-sex relationships could be morally permissible in some circumstances.

Chiodi's views raise eyebrows

Chiodi, a professor at the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and the Family Sciences, has raised eyebrows within the Church.

In a 2017 lecture in Rome, Chiodi suggested that contraception might be morally permissible within marriage under certain circumstances.

He also stated that homosexual relationships "under certain conditions" could be "the most fruitful way" for those with same-sex attraction to "enjoy good relations".

These views have drawn media scrutiny, with some questioning how they align with traditional Catholic teaching.

Chiodi, a Pontifical Academy for Life member since 2017, has despite the backlash continued to be a significant voice in moral theology.

Cardinal Fernández leadership

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, charged with overseeing doctrinal orthodoxy within the Catholic Church, has been led by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández since September 2023.

In the past year, the DDF has been the focus of internal debate following its declaration 'Fiducia Supplicans' which permits non-liturgical blessings for same-sex couples.

As well, it has released a document titled 'Dignitas Infinita' which addresses modern ethical concerns such as gender theory, euthanasia and human dignity.

Cardinal Fernández has praised the new appointments, stating "The consultors bring a broad range of expertise that will enrich the Dicastery's work in addressing contemporary moral and doctrinal challenges".

New appointments include women theologians

The new consultors include experts in theology, canon law and scripture. Their appointments mark a significant step towards gender inclusivity.

Of the 28 appointees, six are women — two religious sisters and four lay theologians.

Two male lay theologians were also named, adding to the diversity of voices expected to guide the DDF.

Source

• CNA

The resolution, called "Life in succeeding relationships - The principles of renewed sexual ethics," was voted on by the synodal meeting's 209 participants, of which more than two-thirds voted in favour.

However, the resolution failed to gain the support of two-thirds of the synod's bishops. Despite 61% of voting German bishops supporting the resolution, 21 bishops who voted 'no' prevented its passage.

The resolution argued that it would not be possible to reorient pastoral care without redefining the Church's sexual teachings significantly. It stated that it is "urgently necessary to overcome some of the restrictions in questions of sexuality, for reasons of sexual science as well as theology."

The resolution also contended that "same-sex sexuality - also expressed in sexual acts - is … not a sin that causes separation from God, and it is not to be judged as intrinsically bad."

Following the vote, delegates spoke for over two hours about the decision. Many expressed frustration with the bishops' votes, saying that they had not listened to their people and that their decision would harm German Catholics and foment division in the Church.

The synodal way's official social media accounts reported that Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops' conference, said he was "personally disappointed with this vote" and that "the practice of synodality has not yet gone far enough."

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, former president of the bishops' conference, also said that he was "very disappointed." He said that the bishops must publicly stand by their positions and justify them.

Irme Stetter-Karp, co-president of the synodal way and leader of the lay-run Central Committee of German Catholics, said after the vote that she believed bishops had not expressed their real views during the debate.

"There is one point in which I am particularly disappointed: that there are bishops in this assembly who are not prepared to voice their opinions," she explained.

The lay leader voiced her frustration: "Why do we invest so much energy and time? For our Church. And that's why I'm staying here. Even if I ask myself the question: Who knows whether this is the right investment of time?"

Sources

The Pillar

Katholisch

CathNews New Zealand

Until now, employees of Catholic institutions in Germany could lose their jobs if they were openly in a same-sex partnership or remarried after a divorce.

The change means no one need fear dismissal for those reasons.

Before the change can come into force, however, each of Germany's 27 dioceses must write the measure into their labour laws. That may take take a few months.

The country's various Catholic institutions employ 800,000 employees.

"Explicitly, as never before, diversity in church institutions is recognised as an enrichment," the DBK says.

"All employees can, independently of their concrete duties, their origin, their religion, their age, their disability, their sex, their sexual identity and their way of life," be representatives of a church that "serves people".

"So long as they bring a positive attitude and openness toward the message of the Gospel [and] respect the Christian character of the institution," it said when announcing the change in labour law.

A two-thirds majority of the DBK supported the amendment. The change agreed last Tuesday, came almost a year after 125 Church employees in Germany came out as queer together, in a protest to end discrimination.

The Central Committee of German Catholics said the move was "overdue," while the German Catholic Women's Community described the reform as a "milestone".

Christian Weisner from the advocacy group "We Are Church" welcomed the move but noted that it was "probably also due to the staff shortage".

No way!

Not everyone's happy with the labour rule changes.

Thomas Schüller, an expert on canon law, says the decision was "driven by the state labour courts", which have for a long time taken precedence in questions of Church labour law with regard to personal lifestyle.

Father Nelson Medina, a Dominican priest who holds a doctorate in fundamental theology, has harshly criticised DBK president Bishop Georg Bätzing, who supports the gay agenda.

Medina says Bätzing's pro-gay stance "is yet another belch of modernist heresy, which, like all great heresies, never really dies out completely".

(Synodal Way champion Bätzing says he will not prevent the blessing of homosexual couples, something that occurred en masse in May of this year despite the explicit prohibition of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.)

Father Juan Manuel Góngora, a Spanish priest who has more than 56,000 followers on Twitter, also disapproves of the change.

"Sin cannot be blessed," he says.

"The bishop should go back to the seminary to study or go over to the Protestant Deformation and stop annoying people."

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• DW
• La Croix

The new policy extends to these people's children, who the Presbyterian Church says cannot be baptised.

The new policy followed the Irish Presbyterian Church cutting ceremonial ties with the Church of Scotland due to its more liberal attitude to same-sex relationships. Read more

"I am afraid that Google can't distinguish between discrimination, tolerance and promotion," Fr. Maciej Zieba, the director of Krakow's Tertio Millennio Institute, told Catholic News Agency.

"In my opinion, it would be much better if Google with the same zeal will concentrate on violations of human rights in many countries of Asia and Africa where elementary human rights are violated."

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