German synod’s approval of blessings for gay couples annoys the Vatican

Natalie Portman
By Natalie Portman 2 Min Read
origin 1A rainbow flag flies outside the Autobahnkirche St. Christophorus on the sidelines of the blessing of same-sex couples. There has been a harsh reaction from the Vatican to the decision by the Catholic Church in Germany to approve blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. Benedikt Spether/dpa

There has been a harsh reaction from the Vatican to the decision by the Catholic Church in Germany to approve blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told reporters in Rome on Monday evening that a local Church cannot make decisions that affect the universal Church.

Parolin, who is one of the most influential cardinals internationally, said that the Holy See has already expressed itself “clearly and unequivocally” on the matter in the past, and any change required a comparison with the Vatican and other churches in the world. world.

However Parolin downplayed suggestions that the move by German Catholics could be seen as a rebellion. “There have always been tensions and different positions in the Church,” he said.

The Vatican will now continue dialogue with German bishops to clarify how such decisions can be integrated into the so-called Synodal Path of the universal Church, he said.

The German Synodal Assembly on Catholic Church Reform decided last week to allow official blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples.

A working group is now being formed to prepare an alms for blessing ceremonies “in a timely manner”. The flyer is used to specify how the blessing ceremonies should take place. As soon as this dispensation is ready, each bishop will be able to carry out the celebrations of the blessing in his diocese.

An evaluation of the experience will be carried out in 2026.

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