Catholics Protest Cardinal, Bless LGBTQ+ Couples Outside German Cathedral
Several Catholic priests in Germany held a blessing ceremony for same-gender couples, defying the local archbishop who does not permit such liturgies. Read More
Bondings 2.0
a daily blog of Catholic LGBTQ news, opinion, and spirituality
Berlin’s Archbishop Will Not Sanction Priests Who Bless LGBTQ+ Couples
A German archbishop has said that while he will not perform blessings of LGBTQ+ couples, no priest or pastoral minister who does so will be sanctioned in his archdiocese, a position he roots in the teachings of Pope Francis. Read More
German Catholics Criticize Cardinal’s Decision to Censure Priest Who Blessed Queer Couples
A leader of Germany's influential lay Catholic organization has criticized the cardinal who censured a priest for conducting a blessing liturgy inclusive of queer couples. Read More
Global Advocates Welcome German LGBTQ+ Reforms, While Vatican Reiterates Concern
LGBTQ+ advocates worldwide have welcomed the German church's recent decisions to bless same-gender couples and to advance transgender inclusion in the church. Meanwhile, a top Vatican official reiterated his concerns about the process. Read More
Leading Cardinal in Synod Seeks Change in Church Teachings on Homosexuality
One of the Europe's top bishops has said the church must reassess its teaching on homosexuality while offering support for LGBTQ church workers. Read More
German Archbishop Set to Appoint Pastoral Minister for Berlin’s LGBTQ Community
An archbishop in Germany has promised to designate a pastoral minister to serve the LGBTQ community in his archdiocese. Read More
German Archdiocese Censors Catholic Students After Criticism of Church Teachings on Sexuality
A German archdiocese has censored a Catholic student group after the group issued a document critical of church teachings about sexual morality, among other reform-related items. Read More
Diocesan Magazine Features Stories of a Married Gay Church Worker and a Sex Therapist
A diocesan magazine in Germany recently featured three perspectives on LGBTQ issues in the church, one from a gay pastoral worker, one from theologian, and one from a sex therapist. Read More
German Bishop Reaffirms His Request for Church Blessings and Civil Partnerships for Same-Gender Couples
A German bishop has reiterated his support blessing same-gender couples and the need for civil recognition of such relationships, too, saying the hierarchy must reconsider its teachings on homosexuality in light of contemporary science. Read More
Leader of German Bishops Calls for Marriage Equality Debate in the Church
Bishop Franz-Josef Bode has said: "I'm concerned with fundamental questions of how we deal with each other; although 'marriage for all' differs clearly from the church's concept of marriage, it's now a political reality." Read More