According to a prominent proponent of the contentious procedure, the German “Synodal Way” seeks to alter the Church’s position on homosexuality by advocating “a conscious statement against the current Catholic dogma.”
The “Synodal Way,” also known as the “Synodal Path,” was described as “a conscious statement against the current Catholic catechism, which has been critical and disparaging of homosexuality since the mid-1970s and still reproaches homosexual activity as sin,” according to Marc Frings, secretary-general of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK).
The website “Outreach,” which advertises itself as a “LGBT Catholic resource,” which is run by Father James Martin SJ, released his remarks on July 17 in both German and English.
The problematic procedure, which is not a synod, was described to as “the German synod” in the opinion piece’s title.
When questioned by CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, Frings stated that he had asked “Outreach” to amend the error and clarified that he had not created the title himself.
Frings continued by quoting the “Synodal Way,” saying that it was vital to end discrimination based on sexual orientation as well as acknowledge the equality and legitimacy of non-heterosexual orientations, their practices, and relationships.
The representative cited a forum post titled “Life in successive partnerships – Living love in sexuality and partnership,” which not only included comments regarding shifting attitudes about homosexuality but also comments on masturbation, marriage, sexual lust, and other related issues.
The layman from Germany also made a connection between the “Synodal Way” and a well-known LGBT movement there called “#OutInChurch — For a church without fear,” which was started on January 24.
According to CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, the campaign called for the modification of expressions of Catholic theology that it called “defamatory and out-of-date.”
“Defamatory and outmoded declarations of Church doctrine on sexuality and gender need to be changed on the basis of theological and human-scientific findings,” the organizers stated in a seven-point list of requests.
Bishop Helmut Dieser, the head of the “Synodal Way” forum on “Living in Successful Relationships,” welcomed the effort on behalf of the bishops’ conference.
The campaign was launched in Germany with a blaze of publicity and an accompanying television program.
In response to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s stance that the Church lacks the authority to approve same-sex unions, organizers staged a day of protest.
The Vatican statement, which was released with Pope Francis’ consent, aroused criticism among the German-speaking Catholic community.
While churches raised LGBT pride flags and a group of more than 200 theology academics signed a petition denouncing the Vatican, other bishops expressed support for blessing same-sex couples.
The proportion of men and women who have ingrained homosexual tendencies is not trivial, according to the Catholic Church’s Catechism.
“For the majority of them, this objectively disordered inclination is a challenge.
They must be welcomed with decency, empathy, and tact. Avoid showing any indication of unfair discrimination in their direction.
“These people are called to live according to God’s will and, if they are Christians, to bear with the difficulties that may result from their condition in union with the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross.”
“Homosexual persons are called to chastity,” it continues.
They can and should steadily and resolutely progress toward Christian perfection by practicing the virtues of self-mastery that help them find inner freedom, at times with the assistance of uninterested friendship, through prayer, and with the help of sacramental grace.