The controversial blessing of same-sex couples has long been a practice in his diocese, according to Essen Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck. “Couples who want God’s blessing for their love are supported by the diocese of Essen in their wishes and in the planning of a blessing ceremony,” emphasised the bishop. “I think it’s right and theologically responsible to allow blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples, but also for couples who have entered a civil marriage or partnership after getting divorced.”
The Plenary Assembly of the Synodal Path, the project for reforms within the Catholic Church in Germany, decided at the beginning of March that there could be official Catholic blessing ceremonies in Germany for same-sex couples and remarried divorcees in the future.
In contrast, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin declared that the question of blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples could not be answered by a local church alone. Rather, a dialogue is needed at the Universal Church level. Two years ago, the Vatican’s authority for religious affairs stated in writing that the Catholic Church had no authority to bless unions between persons of the same sex.
*Originally reported by KNA Germany.
