German bishop asks to change the position of the Catholic Church towards homosexuals

Berlin The Bishop of Essen in West Germany, Franz Josef Overbeck, He called for the Catholic Church’s position on homosexuals to be reviewed and rejected a Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith document against the blessing of same-sex couples.

“We need a new vision of homosexuality, seriously and respectfully”Overbeck stated in a letter to the parishes of his diocese.

According to Overbeck, church doctrine “needs a broader view of human sexuality”.

“The declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has offended many people with a homosexual orientation. Such a view is not accepted in other times and what believers think cannot be ignored “added.

Overbeck claims to have received letters from many Catholics rejecting Rome’s official position.

The bishop argues that all fundamentalist temptations should be avoided and that, despite respect for tradition, they should be understood in the light of the present time.

Overbeck also refers to recent studies showing that a simplified view of human sexuality is part of the origins of the views that have led to “the terrible cases of abuse in our church.”

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had stated that the Church would not bless homosexual alliances.

Before Overbeck, a group of 300 Austrian Catholic priests had spoken out against that statement.

“That decree offends many Christians and discredits the liberating message of Jesus,” said the statement.

“We vehemently protest the idea that gay couples who love each other are not part of God’s plan.”, the document adds.

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