same-sex blessings

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Archbishop Justin Welby in Łódź, Poland, July 21, 2016.

As Anglican bishops gather, deep divisions over statement on banning same-sex marriage emerge

Jul 26, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Following criticism from Anglican bishops, participants in the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England will be given the opportunity to “clearly... Read more

The third Synodal Assembly of the ‘Synodal Way’ in Frankfurt, Germany, on Feb. 4, 2022.

German ‘Synodal Way’ meeting ends with call for same-sex blessings, change to Catechism on homosexuality

Feb 7, 2022

By CNA Staff

The votes came on the third and final day of a meeting of the Synodal Assembly. Read more

Thomas Sternberg and Bishop Georg Bätzing at the Synodal Way’s second Synodal Assembly in Frankfurt, Germany, Sept. 30, 2021.

Spanish theologian warns German Synodal Way poses great danger to the Church

Jan 21, 2022

By David Ramos

Spanish theologian Fr. José Antonio Fortea has warned of what he calls the serious danger to the Catholic Church posed... Read more

Gerhard Cardinal Müller, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at a penance service in St. Peter's Basilica, March 29, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Cardinal Müller calls on Pope Francis to intervene with the Church in Germany

May 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

Gerhard Cardinal Müller on Monday called upon the Holy Father to intervene in the German situation to correct clerics who... Read more

Pope Francis receives German foreign minister Heiko Mass in a private audience at the Vatican, May 12, 2021.

German foreign minister welcomes day of same-sex blessings ahead of papal audience

May 12, 2021

Heiko Maas backed the blessing ceremonies held in around 80 German cities on May 10. Read more

A blessing service at St. Augustin Catholic church in Würzburg, Germany, for couples, including those of the same-sex, May 10, 2021.

Blessing same-sex couples a diabolical and sacrilegious act, priest affirms

May 11, 2021

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Fr. Hugo Valdemar, canon penitentiary of the Archdiocese of Mexico, said that the blessing that priests and pastoral workers gave... Read more

A blessing service as part of a day of action in defiance to the Vatican’s ruling on same-sex unions in the Youth Church in Würzburg, Germany, May 10, 2021.

German Catholics defy Vatican with blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples

May 10, 2021

Ceremonies took place in around 80 cities, though the precise number of services is unknown. Read more

The flag of Germany.

Father Weinandy: ‘If the German Synodal Way is not heading for schism, it has fooled a lot of people’

May 10, 2021

The theologian made the comment after the German bishops’ leader said the country’s Catholics were not “schismatics.” Read more

The hand of the statue of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Square, pictured Feb. 28, 2013.

German Catholic group calls on bishops to unite with Rome

May 10, 2021

The appeal came ahead a day of protest in Germany against the Vatican’s “no” to same-sex blessings. Read more

The Catholic Cathedral of Limburg in Hesse, Germany.

George Weigel: Church in Germany called to fidelity to revelation

May 10, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Church in Germany is called to follow revealed truth rather than the spirit of the times, George Weigel, biographer... Read more

Churches in Germany are flying LGBT pride flags in response to the Vatican’s ‘no’ to same-sex blessings.

German Catholic diocese hosts event declaring same-sex blessings a case of ‘not if, but how’

May 7, 2021

The Diocese of Essen held the conference ahead of a nationwide event defying the Vatican’s “no” to same-sex blessings. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

German Catholic bishops’ leader: We are not ‘schismatics’

May 6, 2021

Bishop Bätzing said the German Church remains close to Rome, despite tensions over same-sex blessings, Communion for Protestants, and the... Read more

Cardinal Camillo Ruini answers questions at the Vatican press office on June 17, 2014.

Cardinal Ruini sees ‘risk of schism’ in Germany after Vatican ‘no’ to same-sex blessings

May 4, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

“I hope with all my heart that there will not be any schism, and I pray for this,” said the... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

German bishops’ leader: Day of same-sex blessings not ‘helpful’

Apr 29, 2021

A nationwide event in defiance of the Vatican’s “no” to blessings for same-sex couples will take place on May 10. Read more

Credit: Wozzie/Shutterstock.

Catholic university in New England 'affirms support' for LGBT persons

Apr 24, 2021

Sacred Heart University held a rally celebrating LGBT students last month after the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith... Read more

Cardinal Peter Turkson.

Cardinals uphold Vatican statement on same-sex unions

Mar 19, 2021

By Matt Hadro

Two cardinals on Thursday upheld the Vatican’s recent statement that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions.  Read more

The then Archbishop Luis Ladaria at the Vatican Press Office Sept. 8, 2015.

Full text: Vatican’s doctrinal office response and note on the blessing of same-sex unions

Mar 15, 2021

By CNA Staff

Here is the full text of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s response to a question on... Read more

Vatican’s doctrinal office: Catholic Church cannot give blessings to same-sex unions

Mar 15, 2021

The Vatican’s doctrinal office on Monday clarified that the Catholic Church does not have the power to give liturgical blessings... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx.

Updated: Cardinal Marx discusses blessings for same-sex couples

Feb 7, 2018

The president of the German Bishops’ Conference has said that, in his view, "there are no general solutions" regarding the... Read more