[ad_1]
More than 100 Catholic priests in Germany challenge the Vatican by blessing the unions of gay and lesbian couples.
The Vatican said in March that priests cannot bless same-sex unions. Pope Francis, who has declared that same-sex couples have the right to a family, approved the ban.
The Vatican ban sparked the Love Wins movement in Germany. Priests from around 100 Catholic churches in Germany are offering blessings to same-sex couples, the BBC reported.
“The couples who participate should receive the blessing that God wants to give them – without any secrets,†the group said in an earlier statement.
Love Wins described the Church’s ban as “a slap in the face to people around the world.”
Andreas Helfrich, who received a blessing with his partner, told Reuters it was very important to him.
“It’s very important to me,†Helfrich said. “I was brought up in the Catholic religion. I live as a Catholic and I have also worked as a Catholic. For me, the sky opened up again today because I felt a bit left out. And I’m thankful that the possibility exists and that we were able to receive God’s blessing.
An overwhelming number of Germans (86%) support same-sex relationships, according to the Pew Research Center.
While same-sex couples could not marry in Germany until 2017 – about two years after same-sex couples began to marry in all 50 states of the United States – Germany began to recognize couples’ unions alike. sex in 2001, granting them a number of rights they enjoy. by married couples of the opposite sex.
[ad_2]
