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Synodal Assembly decides that homosexual couples can be blessed

One of the main demands of the Synodal Path reform process in the Catholic Church was that homosexual couples can be blessed. In three years at the latest, the blessing celebrations should now officially be possible in German churches. In the Catholic Church in Germany there should soon also be official blessing celebrations for homosexual couples. That was decided by the Synodal Assembly on the Reform of the Catholic Church in Frankfurt/Main. Now a working group is to be formed that will create a handout for the blessing celebrations "promptly" - in order to specify how the blessing celebrations should take place. As soon as the handout is ready, each bishop can implement the blessing celebrations in his diocese. The experiences are to be evaluated in 2026. Of the 202 assembly members, 176 voted in favor of the application and 14 against. Twelve members abstained. The required two-thirds majority of the bishops also came about. However, a vote was taken on a weakened form of the motion. Originally it contained the direct demand to introduce blessing celebrations - now the text only contained the recommendation for it. 

Bätzing sees majority for church reform course 

In Dresden, the Catholic bishops wanted to organize majorities - but there is still resistance.

Touchstone for the ability to change

In many parishes, blessing celebrations are already practiced today, but they take place in a gray area in terms of canon law. The Synodalists demanded that it was time to get blessing celebrations out of living rooms and secret meetings in churches. Priests who give their blessings should no longer have to fear sanctions. Divorcees who have remarried should also be able to be blessed. One of the main demands of the Synodal Path reform process, which has been running in the Catholic Church since 2019, is that blessing celebrations are also possible for same-sex couples. The demand was considered a touchstone for how capable of change the Catholic Church in Germany is. The nun, Katharina Ganz emphasized that the decision was "an important signal to the world church". However, the Vatican made it clear in 2021 that it was "not allowed" to bless homosexual partnerships. In Africa, too, the Catholics are strictly against it, argued the delegate, Emeka Ani against the motion. The Bishop of Eichstätt, Gregor Maria Hanke, warned of inner-church discord. It will be a challenge for some parts of the world church, says the theologian Martina Kreidler-Kos: "But it can do that too."

Synodal Assembly- another church becomes visible

The Synodal Path has initiated far-reaching reforms - the Church could change significantly.

Already introduced in Belgium 

The theologian, Mirjam Gräve, who is married to a woman, emphasized in the debate: "Giving blessings is the very own mission of the church." 



Theology professor Julia Knop also underscored: "If the liturgy is used to humiliate people by refusing blessings, that contradicts the will of God." At the synodal assembly, Antwerp Bishop Johan Bonny reported on how blessing celebrations for same-sex couples were introduced in Belgium . That went relatively quietly, informal agreements were made with the Vatican and Pope Francis. The Pope just said: "That's your decision."

Source

Cathcon: the lunatics have taken over the asylum.  Catholic teaching on this matter is absolutely and utterly clear.

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