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Some German Catholics Insist Reform Discussions Include Gender Identity and PolyamoryAs regular Bondings 2.0 readers know well by now, German Catholics continue to lead on LGBTQ equality in the church. Today’s post features several updates from the country.#OutInChurch Panel Seeks Discussion Beyond HomosexualityPanelists in a Diocese of Limburg event were insistent that conversations about reform in the church include questions of gender identity and polyamorous relationships. Eric Tilch, a gay church worker, criticized public discourse around LGBTQ issues as focusing “too much on homosexual men” and monogamy. He commented, per the diocesan website’s report (via Google Translate):“‘I can only feel...

Influential German Lay Catholic Reveals Radical Goals, Methods of Synodal WayThomas Sternberg said it is ‘unfortunate’ that the Synodal Way has received ‘such disruptive criticism’ by Catholics opposed to women’s ordination, same-sex unions and fundamental reform of the Church’s sacramental and hierarchical nature.The outgoing head of the most influential Catholic lay group in Germany has detailed how he believes the German Synodal Way is geared toward influencing radical changes in the Church and that a well-prepared process is all-important in securing such reform.In a revealing Nov. 3 interview with a German podcaster peppered with strident statements challenging the Church’s...

German ‘Synodal Way’ Extended to 2023 as Assembly Ends Abruptly After Votes on Sexual Morality, PriesthoodThe synodal assembly ended earlier than expected on Saturday afternoon after Bishop Bätzing asked organizers to count whether the meeting had a quorum of 154 participants after many departed early.FRANKFURT, Germany —The German Catholic Church’s “Synodal Way” will be extended to 2023 after its plenary session ended abruptly on Saturday following votes in favor of a text endorsing same-sex blessings and a discussion of whether the priesthood is necessary.Bishop Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German bishops’ conference, and Thomas Sternberg, president of the Central...

God Is Sick of Them: Francis' Model Church Reduced to a Pile of RubbleThere are 22,193,347 "Catholics" in Germany, which corresponds to 26.7% of the population.The data refers to the year 2020 and appeared in statistics published by the German Bishops' Conference.The "Catholics" are served by 12,565 priests (2019: 12,983). In 2020, there were only 67 priestly ordinations (56: diocesan priests; 11: religious priests).Attendance at religious services fell to 5.9% (2019: 9.1%), as did the number of marriages (11,018; 2019: 38,537), baptisms (104,610; 2019: 159,043), first communions (139,752; 2019: 166,481). 221,390 persons left the Church (2019: 272,771). In contrast, burials...

More Than 220,000 People Left the Catholic Church in Germany in 2020BERLIN, Germany — More than 220,000 people left Catholic Church in Germany in 2020, according to official figures released on Wednesday.The statistics issued by the German bishops’ conference on July 14 showed that 221,390 people exited the Catholic Church last year. The figure was almost 19% lower than that of 2019, when a record 272,771 people departed. But it was higher than the 2018 figure of 216,078, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.In a July 14 statement, Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops’ conference, said...

After meeting with Pope Francis, the head of German bishops says pontiff invited them to help the ChurchCardinal Gerhard Müller provided LifeSite with an exclusive response to this news.June 24, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) – Today, Bishop Georg Bätzing, the head of the German bishops' conference, met with Pope Francis in a private audience, the second audience since his election as head of the German bishops. Right after this meeting, the German bishops published a statement by Bätzing, in which he states that the Pope “encourages” the German Synodal Path and even asks the Germans to “help shape” the three-year work of...

Pope Francis Receives Bishop Bätzing, Reportedly Encourages German Synodal PathIn a statement, the head of the German bishops’ conference said the Pope called on the Church in Germany to “help shape the path of synodality” for the upcoming Synod of Bishops for the universal Church.VATICAN CITY — During a private audience this morning, Pope Francis urged the president of the German bishops’ conference to continue with a much-disputed Synodal Path for the Church in Germany.According to a statement issued almost immediately by the German bishops’ conference after the meeting, Bishop Bätzing said the Pope “has encouraged us to continue...

Pope Francis endorses Cardinal Marx and his "manifesto" for Church reformThe pope's refusal to accept the German cardinal's resignation further strengthens moves towards a substantial reform of the Catholic ChurchCardinal Marx handed in his letter of resignation to the Pope on May 21. (Photo: HANDOUT/AFP) { Cardinal Reinhard Marx tried to resign but, in the end, Pope Francis rejected the move and instructed the 67-year-old German to continue leading the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.The news is a major blow to doctrinal hardliners and neo-traditionalists, and everyone else who is a part of the Catholic Church's "no change" crowd. Because...

Catholics submit ‘dubium’ to Vatican asking if Church in Germany is in schismThree Catholics have submitted a “dubium” to the Vatican asking if the Church in Germany is in schism.The trio from the Diocese of Essen formally requested a ruling from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.A dubium, from the Latin word meaning “doubt,” is a question addressed to the Vatican’s doctrinal congregation that can be answered with a “yes” or “no.” The congregation replies with a “Responsum ad dubium,” as it did in March when asked whether the Church has...

Cardinal Müller calls on Pope Francis to intervene with the Church in GermanyGerhard Cardinal Müller on Monday called upon the Holy Father to intervene in the German situation to correct clerics who have attempted to bless same-sex unions, or encouraged such attempts.“For the sake of the truth of the gospel and the unity of the Church, Rome must not watch in silence, hoping that things won't turn out too badly, or that the Germans can be pacified with tactical finesse and small concessions. We need a clear statement of principle with practical consequences,” Cardinal Müller, prefect emeritus of the Congregation...

Catholics and Protestants Share Communion at German Ecumenical ConventionFrankfurt’s Cathedral of St. Bartholomew served as the site where Catholics and Protestants defied Church teaching against shared communion.FRANKFURT, Germany — Protestant and Catholic worshippers in Germany defied Church teaching on Sunday by taking part in each other’s celebration of the Lord’s Supper at an Ecumenical Convention in Frankfurt. In four services in the city, Catholics were invited to take part in an Evangelical Supper with Protestants and similarly invited to celebrate the Catholic Eucharist, with the decision to receive Holy Communion at Mass or bread at a Protestant service left...

Over 500 German priests vow to defy Church’s ban on same-sex couplesA much-hyped blessing service for same-sex couples in Germany at more than 50 parishes is being planned for May 10.April 27, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) – Hundreds of priests in Germany have vowed to defy the Vatican’s ban on same-sex blessings. A much-hyped blessing service for same-sex couples titled “Love wins, blessing service for lovers” is planned for May 10 with more than 50 Catholic parishes so far signing up to offer such a blessing.Last month, openly homosexual German priest Bernd Mönkebüscher created a Facebook post to protest the Congregation for...

Is Cardinal Woelki Being Targeted Because of His Concerns About Germany’s Synodal Path?VATICAN CITY — At the same time as a newly leaked document shows just how determined German Church leaders are to push their synodal path, one of the controversial initiative’s most prominent critics, Cardinal Rainer Woelki of Cologne, is being targeted by opponents over his alleged failures regarding the handling of an abuse allegation. Over the past few months, the archbishop of Cologne has been subjected to fierce attacks from parish councils, priests and most recently the diocesan council over the alleged mishandling. The cardinal has also...

German Synodal Way Into the MadhouseThe German Synodal Way organised a two-day online conference on 4/5 February with 229 pre-selected participants.Among the craziest statements was that of Regina Nagel of the Federal Association of Women Parish Assistants, who enquired from the bishops: "What are you doing to make the priestly profession attractive for women?"Rottenburg Stuttgart Auxiliary Bishop Matthäus Karrer communicated that "breaches in doctrine and tradition will be unavoidable if power in the Church is controlled, shared and distributed fairly."Most members want [invalidly ordained] women priests and a permission for illicit sexual practices.Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, the chairman of...

German church in danger of becoming ‘national church’ and ‘secularized,’  two cardinals warn Cardinal Müller and Cardinal Woelki once again criticize the synodal path. September 18, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Two German cardinals have warned that the “synodal path” enacted by the German bishops could lead to “secularization,” “division,” and even “some kind of German national church.” Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, the archbishop of Cologne, told his diocesan newspaper, “The worst result would be if the synodal path leads to division and thus out of the Church, out of communion with the universal Church. That would be worst, if some kind...

[Catholic Caucus] Top cardinal behind Amazon synod: Plan for married priests to be ‘developed and completed’ Cardinal Hummes said that the Pope 'clearly says that the whole Church will strive to put this final document into practice' which calls for married priests. BRASILIA, February 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Brazilian Cardinal Cláudio Hummes stated that ordaining married men to the priesthood “must be developed and completed” following the release this week of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonia [Beloved Amazon], which stalled the liberal push for married priests in the Catholic Church. Known as an ally of Pope Francis, Cardinal Hummes (85)...

Dubia Cardinal warns Church in Germany against synodal path that leads to ‘final decline’ October 1, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – A German cardinal is warning Catholics in his country that proceeding down a so-called synodal path — one that aims at questioning the Church's teaching on celibacy, an all-male priesthood, homosexuality, etc. — could lead to a “national church” without “nearly any ties to Rome,” stating that this would be “certainly be the surest path into the final decline.” Cardinal Walter Brandmüller – the former President of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences and one of the two remaining dubia...