The Synodal Assembly — which is focused on reforming the Church — adopted a paper in Frankfurt on Friday to allow for same-sex couples to have their relationships blessed by the German Catholic Church from 2026.
Of the 202 members of the Synodal Assembly, 176 voted in favour, 14 against and 12 abstained.
Allowing blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples has been among the key demands in the Synodal Path reform process, which has been ongoing since 2019.
The Synodal Path progressive Catholic movement also seeks to end celibacy for priests and the ordination of women as deacons.
According to the German Catholic news agency KNA, blessings would also be allowed for civilly remarried and divorcees.
KNA reported that the there was a recommendation that the German Bishops’ Conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics “develop and introduce appropriate liturgical celebrations in a timely manner.”
The three years for the change to take effect are to be used to develop the liturgical format of the ceremony with the participation of
the bishops.
Catholic Church and reform
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The Vatican and Germany’s reform movement
The church in Germany launched the reform movement amid record numbers of Germans leaving congregations and sex abuse scandals involving the church. Church membership dropped below 50% for the first time in 2021.
However, the Vatican has in the past made it clear that it views the Synodal Path’s calls for addressing homosexuality, celibacy, and women in the Church as divisive and warned those calls could cause a fracture.
In July last year the Holy See warned German reformers that they had no authority to instruct bishops on moral or doctrinal matters.
kb/fb (dpa,KNA)
Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/german-catholic-church-to-give-blessing-to-same-sex-couples/a-64950775?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf