Until now it had been aired as a possibility by representatives of the German Church but from today the blessing of gay couples in the diocese of Speyer, Germany, is a direct indication of the bishop. Monsignor Karl-Heinz Wieserman has in fact released a pastoral letter, addressed to his priests, in which he indicates that he holds “blessing celebrations for people who love each other”. After a “long history of deep wounds”, the time has come to “have a different pastoral attitude inspired by the Gospel”, he underlined, speaking “in particular of homosexual people”. It is the first decision of its kind after the Synod.
The bishop of Speyer, Msgr. Karl-Heinz Wieserman therefore decided not to wait for the 2024 session of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican but published the pastoral indications on the matter today on the website of his diocese. «Both with regard to believers whose marriage has failed and who have remarried, and above all with regard to people of the same sex, it is urgent – we read in the German bishop’s letter -, especially against the backdrop of a long history of profound pain, find a different pastoral attitude inspired by the Gospel”.
Wieserman, in his decision, recalls the conclusions of the German Synodal Path which in March 2023 expressed itself with a majority of 93% on the possibility of “blessings for people who love each other”. None of the priests who practice these celebrations “must fear sanctions”, says the bishop. Rather “let us give these believers a clear sign of God’s closeness in the community of the Church”. The indication is that the blessing differs, in words and signs, from a church wedding because it is not the celebration of a sacrament. At the same time the celebration should “expressly strengthen, as an act of blessing, the love, commitment and mutual responsibility that exists in the couple’s relationship.” Finally, the bishop announced the establishment of an office within the diocese to which couples can turn.
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