The Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), one of the main organizations of the progressive laity in Germany and a key actor in the controversial “Synodal Way,” has publicly defended the continuity of liturgical blessings for homosexual couples and people in “irregular situations,” despite the recent reservations expressed by Pope Leo XIV.
According to Katholisch.de, the ZdK president, Irme Stetter-Karp, assured this Tuesday in Würzburg that the concerns expressed by the Pontiff “are unfounded,” while defending that the form developed jointly with the German Episcopal Conference clearly distinguishes between a sacramental wedding and a blessing ceremony.
The ZdK insists on maintaining homosexual blessings
During the opening of the spring plenary assembly of the German lay organization, Stetter-Karp expressed her desire for these celebrations to continue being applied “in as many places as possible.”
“I hope that this guide for blessing celebrations continues to be used to bless homosexual couples and couples in so-called irregular situations,” she stated.
The statements come after Leo XIV recently expressed reservations about certain initiatives promoted in Germany and reiterated the need to maintain doctrinal fidelity on issues related to marriage and sexual morality.
The document defended by the ZdK was developed jointly with representatives of the German Episcopal Conference within the context of the Synodal Way.
New pressures for the female diaconate
The ZdK president also used her speech to once again demand changes in the Church’s sacramental structure and lamented the lack of progress toward the female diaconate.
Although she positively valued some statements by Leo XIV on the need for the Church to address broader issues than sexual morality, she criticized the lack of favorable signals from the Vatican regarding the ordination of women deacons.
“The results of the Vatican study group on the female diaconate do not really leave me encouraged,” she stated. “Once again, we are told that, in the current state, women cannot access the diaconate.”
The German Synodal Way continues to strain Rome
Stetter-Karp’s words reflect that the German progressive sector does not seem willing to halt the reforms promoted during the Synodal Way despite the repeated warnings from the Holy See.
Over the past few years, the Vatican has expressed concern on several occasions about German proposals related to sexual morality, authority in the Church, the role of women, or the sacramental structure.
Pope Leo XIV himself has insisted since the beginning of his pontificate on the need to preserve doctrinal unity and avoid separate national paths that could weaken ecclesial communion.
Social and political criticisms
Beyond ecclesial issues, the ZdK president also criticized the German Government for possible social cuts, for the reduction of international aid, and for what she described as insufficient commitment to climate policy.
In addition, she denounced an alleged social “fatigue” regarding the treatment of sexual abuses and called for continuing to promote reforms and protection measures within the Church.