Central Committee of German Catholics defends blessing ceremonies. They say Pope Leo's concerns unfounded. Springtime for heresy in Germany.
What's next for the reforms in Germany? The Central Committee of German Catholics outlines guidelines – and also addressed the blessing guidelines and the Vatican's criticism.
The Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) has defended the guidelines for blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples or other couples who cannot marry in the Church, which were developed by the Catholic Church in Germany. The form developed by the Joint Conference of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) and the German Bishops' Conference clearly distinguishes between blessing ceremonies and a wedding, said ZdK President Irme Stetter-Karp on Tuesday in Würzburg at the opening of the spring plenary assembly of the highest Catholic lay body in Germany. She added that Pope Leo XIV's concerns were therefore unfounded.
"It is therefore my hope that this guideline for blessing ceremonies will continue to be used and become a blessing in as many places as possible for blessings of same-sex couples and couples in so-called irregular situations," said the ZdK President. She had expressed a similar sentiment immediately after Pope Leo's criticism.
Lack of equality in the Church
She welcomed the Pope's statements that the Church should address broader issues than sexual morality—for example, equality. However, she currently sees no signals from the Vatican regarding the ordination of women as deacons. "The findings of the Vatican study group on the topic of women deacons leave me without any real encouragement," she criticized. "Instead, it says, once again: women cannot be admitted to diaconal ordination as things stand."
Stetter-Karp also criticized a growing indifference in society to the scandal of sexual abuse. "Impatience, even a kind of weariness, is spreading in society, the media, and within our own ranks. I hear the question more and more often: when will this issue finally be resolved?" she said. However, it is essential that the Church and society continue to address and confront abuse. "Our commitment must remain: to consistently stand by the victims, advocate for their rights, and make the Church a safe place for children and young people," demanded the president of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK).
Stetter-Karp further criticized the growing apathy of society in the face of the sexual abuse scandal.
"The Vatican has already made it clear to the German bishops that we do not approve of the formal blessings of same-sex couples," said Pope Leo XIV. Irme Stetter-Karp, President of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), stated that the Pope's concerns were unfounded.
In the upcoming reforms, the German government must ensure social cohesion and a balance of burdens. "Cohesion and equitable participation are not merely desirable; they are essential foundations for successful reforms and future-oriented policies," said the ZdK President. Democracy thrives on the commitment and the justified hope of its people that they can trust the parliamentary system and a strong welfare state. Therefore, necessary burdens and cost-cutting measures must be distributed fairly and well-justified.
In the upcoming reforms, the German government must ensure social cohesion and a fair distribution of burdens. The president of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) expressed concern about proposals from a working group in the Federal Chancellery that foresee drastic cuts in child and youth welfare services as well as integration assistance for people with disabilities. The welfare state must not leave anyone behind, Stetter-Karp insisted.
"The international community is turning a blind eye"
She also criticized the fact that necessary relief measures for citizens, organizations, and businesses are being implemented exclusively at the expense of climate protection. She argued that reducing the mineral oil tax and potentially reversing the EU's ban on combustion engines are neither socially just relief measures nor do they solve the problem. "We need measures that reduce energy consumption and make environmentally friendly mobility more attractive," Stetter-Karp demanded. "Freezing the price of the Deutschlandticket (Germany-wide public transport ticket) for at least two years, instead of increasing it again, would signal the long-overdue shift in transportation policy – and be significantly cheaper than fuel discounts."
The president also criticized cuts in spending on humanitarian aid and development assistance. Hardly anyone in Germany seems to realize that the world's largest humanitarian crisis is currently unfolding in Sudan. "The international community is turning a blind eye. The extent of the underfunding facing humanitarian aid organizations is scandalous." It is all the more alarming, then, that further cuts to international aid are being proposed in the ongoing budget negotiations.
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