Several clerics from the Archdiocese of Cologne have joined representatives of Protestant denominations in a ceremony to affirm same-sex couples on the steps of its renowned cathedral.
As lay Catholics and other locals gathered to cheer the ceremony – waving LGBT, “anti-fascist”, and transsexual flags – a group of traditional Catholics prayed the rosary nearby, sporting a banner stating: “Let’s stay Catholic.”
The event garnered varied responses from relevant officials, underlining the deeply divided nature of the German Church.
Sven Lehmann, the governmental LGBTQ+ commissioner, publicly lauded the events as an “important symbol”, while canon lawyers from the diocese have pointed out the illicit nature of such actions.
The clerics participated in the event as an open act of defiance against not only official Church teaching but also conservative Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, who heads the diocese.
This comes amidst substantial and ongoing controversy surrounding both Woelki and the German Church pertaining to the Church’s approach on sexual issues.
The cardinal himself has been the subject of much media attention regarding drama in his diocese, which happens to be the most populous and reportedly richest in the country.
He was subject to initial spotlight due to ongoing investigations regarding the instances of potential cover-up for cases of abuse. A report did exonerate the cardinal, but did suggest significant abuse and coverup within the diocese over a period of almost 70 years.
Only a month ago, Woelki was steeped into another controversy after his admonishing of Fr Herbert Ullmann.
Fr Ullmann, from the nearby parish of Mettmann, transgressed canon law and the instructions of his bishop by initiating a “blessing ceremony for lovers” which included homosexual couples. Woelki’s subsequent actions drew widespread criticism and appraisal from progressive and traditional voices respectively.
“I respect Cardinal Woelki's stipulations and will find other ways of supporting people who have got caught in this doctrinal crossfire which affects not only homosexuals but also remarried divorcees,” stated Fr Ullmann afterwards.
The Ullmann controversy is widely understood to have been directly related to, and a triggering motive behind, Wesnesday’s protests.
The <em>Synodaler Weg </em>(the jurisdictional German instantiation of the global synod) has seen various affirmations and votes in favour of the “blessing” of same-sex relationships over the last year and a half.
The bishops of Berlin, Münster, Aachen and Essen have officially confirmed that they will not punish priests who choose to offer such so-called “blessings” to same-sex couples.
Cardinal Woelki is among only a handful of German prelates to still withhold favour for such a decision; a decision which would directly defy not only historical Catholic magisterial teaching but also recent pronouncements by the Vatican.
As recently as March 2021, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) explicitly confirmed and reiterated in its <em>Responsum ad dubium</em> that the Church was neither permitted nor had the power to bless same-sex unions.
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