Free Republic

A senior German priest has announced that he is no longer Catholic, citing his disappointment over a lack of “reforms” in the Church and admitting to having broken his promise of celibacy. “At the same time, I experience how much hope is placed in ongoing processes such as the Synodal Way. But I’m no longer in a position to also proclaim and honestly and sincerely share that hope, because I simply don’t have it anymore.” The former vicar general described the ordination of women to the priesthood, as well as “the abolition of compulsory celibacy, dealing with queer people, co-determination...

Recommendation 2,[on the blessing of same-sex unions] of course, was the first real issue. First amendment to be taken up was that by Grand Canyon Synod Bp. Michael Neils, which would give permission for congregations to authorize their pastors to perform same-sex blessings. In the course of the discussion, more than thirty voting members spoke. Bp. Hanson presided with skill and fairness, with one significant exception which we’ll get out of the way first: in the midst of the discussion, he observed that two of the “resource persons” with voice but not vote wished to speak—the two being Ralph Klein...