Queer Pastoral Care Network Established in Munich-Freising

The Archdiocese of Munich-Freising has committed to further supporting the queer community by creating what they have named a “diocesan network for queer pastoral care.” 

Although other archdioceses in Germany, such as those in Freiburg, Trier and Berlin, already offer queer pastoral care, Munich-Freising is one of the most recognized archdioceses in the country, situated in the heart of Bavaria, the most Catholic part of Germany. The new program will offer pastoral care to queer people, along with their families, serviced by trained pastoral carers. As of right now, 17 people are qualified to serve in this position . 

According to Ruth Huber, an administrator at the archdiocese, the incorporation of queer pastoral care is a “big step,” as they hope to create a “safer space” for queer people in the Church.

One of the LGBTQ+ pastoral care ministers,  Franziska Ilmberger, who is also a Munich University chaplain, said sthat queer people continue to face discrimination, which is opposed to  the message of Jesus and Christianity. Being a Christian means supporting people who “are wronged,” she added.

Kevin Hellwig, a married gay church employee, welcomed  the new initiative as a “very good” step towards queer inclusion. Although he does not expect “that gays and lesbians will come knocking on the church doors,” he does believe that the initiative will reach  people who “have been driven away from the church for decades, and centuries.”

Bishop Ludger Schepers, an auxiliary bishop of Essen, observed that grassroots church members are more progressive than Church institutional leaders. He believes that the Church’s text “must be reviewed in light of today’s insights, in terms of moral theology, and ethics.” This can occur through the Synodal Committee’s dialogue on the future of the Church. 

The Archdiocese of Munich-Freising is taking necessary steps in supporting and including queer people into Catholic life. Queer pastoral care allows one’s sexual and gender identities to be seen, rather than suppressed. However, we must continue to evaluate the Church on a systems level to make sure that teachings are LGBTQ+ affirming.

—Sarah Cassidy, New Ways Ministry, January 9, 2025