German Church defiantly moves ever closer to schism. After Pope's statement: Dioceses and laypeople defend blessing ceremonies.

Confusion with marriage is ruled out

On his return flight from his trip to Africa, the Pope rejected formal blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. In Germany, Catholics are now wondering what the statements actually mean.

Following the recent statements by Pope Leo XIV, the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) is defending blessing ceremonies for couples who are not married in the Church. There is no reason to retract a corresponding directive, said ZdK President Irme Stetter-Karp on Friday in response to an inquiry from the Catholic News Agency (KNA) in Berlin.

The document, titled "Blessing Gives Strength to Love," merely recommends "allowing blessing ceremonies for couples who do not wish to enter into a sacramental marriage or for whom such a marriage is not available," Stetter-Karp emphasized. "Nothing more and nothing less. Any confusion with the sacrament of marriage is out of the question."

Pope Leo does not approve of blessing ceremonies

The blessing ceremonies are also open to gay and lesbian couples. The document is a product of the Synodal Path to the Future of the Church in Germany. The bishops will decide on its implementation. Most recently, Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich issued a corresponding decree.

On his return flight from his trip to Africa, Pope Leo XIV stated that Rome had made it clear to the German bishops that it does not approve of formal blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. He added that going beyond the scope of the general blessing permitted by his predecessor Francis would create more discord than unity within the Church. However, he did not threaten any canonical action. Rather, Leo XIV emphasized that other issues were more important for the Church than questions of sexual morality.

On the return flight from his trip to Africa, Pope Leo XIV stated that the Vatican had already made it clear to the German bishops "that we do not approve of formal blessings of same-sex couples."

The president of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) told KNA that further communication with the Vatican was necessary. The reform process in Germany would continue. "It is well known that Pope Leo XIV's point is that blessings must never be confused with a sacrament of marriage," said Stetter-Karp. Leo XIV is thus continuing the tradition of his predecessor, Francis. "He just confirmed this in response to a question from journalists on his return flight from Africa."

The Central Committee of German Catholics is the highest representative body of Catholic laity in Germany. The German Bishops' Conference will not comment on the matter at this time, it said on Friday in response to a KNA inquiry. Cardinal Marx also declined to comment.

Categorical "no" overturned by "Fiducia Supplicans"

The Diocese of Limburg also intends to continue blessing ceremonies. "Pastoral workers are encouraged to responsibly embrace this desire and conduct blessing ceremonies with couples," Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg told KNA on Friday. "Even though there are differing opinions on this within the universal Church, I see this practice in the Diocese of Limburg as being within a responsible framework. It serves the people and, in my view, does not endanger the unity of the Church," Bätzing said. Until a few weeks ago, he was chairman of the German Bishops' Conference. At the same time, he led the Catholic reform process, the Synodal Path, which produced the document entitled "Blessing Gives Strength to Love."

The Diocese of Speyer also reacted calmly to the Pope's dissenting remarks. The diocese sees itself "in its stance of encountering same-sex couples and also enabling them to receive a blessing," in accordance with the Vatican document "Fiducia Supplicans," published in 2023, a diocesan spokeswoman told KNA on Friday.

Even before "Fiducia Supplicans," Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann wrote to the pastoral staff of his diocese, requesting blessing ceremonies for couples in love. The diocese maintains that its own approach remains in accordance with the Vatican's blessing document.

On December 18, 2023, the Roman Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with the approval of then-Pope Francis, published the declaration "Fiducia Supplicans – On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings." According to the diocesan spokesperson, this document departs from the previously held "categorical rejection of blessings for couples for whom a sacramental marriage is not possible." This Vatican document thus follows "the pastoral approach of Pope Francis."

Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann of Speyer had already stated in November 2023 that he had advocated for a reassessment of homosexuality in Church doctrine during the Synodal Path reform dialogue and had voted in favor of allowing blessing ceremonies for couples who love each other. At the same time, he had "encouraged the pastoral staff of his diocese to approach couples who cannot marry in the Church with pastoral sensitivity." He explained his approach at the time with the words: "With all this, my aim—not least against the backdrop of a long history of profound hurt—was to find a different pastoral approach, one inspired by the Gospel."

"We stand by this assessment."

The Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart emphasized the need for dialogue with the Vatican. "The diocese takes the statements of Pope Leo XIV seriously. They show that a dialogue between Rome, the German Bishops' Conference, and the local churches is still needed on this issue," a diocesan spokeswoman said on Friday in Rottenburg in response to a KNA inquiry.

"At the same time, it remains important for us to provide pastoral care to people who ask for God's blessing," she emphasized, adding: "Our existing materials and pastoral resources are not intended to equate marriage with sacramental marriage, but rather to support responsible pastoral practice." Blessings are an essential part of compassionate pastoral care that recognizes and values ​​the realities of couples' lives today. "We stand by this assessment."

The diocese tells couples hoping for a blessing ceremony: "You are not forgotten in our Church, and we remain here for you." However, the diocese distinguishes "between a formal blessing ceremony and the pastoral offering of a blessing." A blessing ceremony in the sense of a liturgical celebration, which could be confused with sacramental marriage, is not meant. The diocesan spokesperson also referred to the declaration "Fiducia Supplicans." The document opens up "the possibility of providing pastoral care to people in specific life situations and bestowing God's blessing upon them – in a non-ritualized form and without equating it with marriage."

The Archdiocese of Cologne stated that Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki acknowledged the Pope's remarks with gratitude. "They reaffirm the importance of a united approach within the universal Church and raise awareness of the danger of division and schism," it said. Woelki emphasized that "it is a matter of course for us in the Archdiocese of Cologne to bless all people and assure them of God's closeness." The framework established by Rome makes it possible to treat all people with respect and appreciation and to act with pastoral sensitivity.

In Essen, Vicar General Klaus Pfeffer declared on Facebook: "For me, this is a very important message: The world around us is practically burning in the face of numerous wars, the rise of authoritarian regimes, the collapse of many democracies, and the increase in hatred and violence in so many areas. There are countless tasks for Christians to take a stand and to advocate for understanding, justice, and peace."

Source