German bishops differ on approach to homosexuals
August 05, 2011
German Catholic bishops are split on the proper pastoral approach to homosexuality, Vatican Insider notes.
Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich says that homosexuals, like all others, are welcome in the Church. Conceding that the Catholic Church "has not always adopted the right tone" toward homosexuals, the cardinal told Süddeutsche Zeitung: "I cannot bless a gay relationship, but I can pray for people who request it."
The cardinal's statements did not contradict or question the Church's teachings on the immorality of homosexual acts, but neither did they affirm those teachings. Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen, the youngest member of the German hierarchy, is more direct, saying that "practiced homosexuality is objectively sinful, even if gay people must be treated with respect." Bishop Overbeck admits that he has been unable to reach common ground with gay-rights leaders.
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