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Bishop urges prayer, fasting in response to blessings of same-sex couples in Germany

“I invite you,” Bishop José Ignacio Munilla Aguirre tweeted April 14, “to join a chain of prayer and fasting for the unity of the Church in Germany and throughout the world. Lord, grant us communion in fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church!”

Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck (left) of Essen, Germany, and Bishop José Ignacio Munilla Aguirre (right) of San Sebastián. (Images: CNS/Wikipedia)

San Sebastian, Spain, Apr 19, 2021 / 17:01 pm (CNA).

In response to a planned day of blessings for same-sex partners in Germany, the Bishop of San Sebastián on Wednesday called on Catholics to join in prayer for the Church in Germany to be faithful to the Magisterium and not to fall into rebellion.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said March 15 that the Church hasn’t the power to bless same-sex unions.

However, members of the Church in Germany have announced a May 10 event, “Blessings for the unions of people who love each other,” with the participation of priests, deacons, and pastoral workers, and supported by some bishops, such as Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen.

Bishop José Ignacio Munilla Aguirre tweeted April 14: “I invite you to join a chain of prayer and fasting for the unity of the Church in Germany and throughout the world. Lord, grant us communion in fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church!”

In a statement to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish language news partner, Bishop Munilla stressed that “there is an understandable concern in the People of God,” noting that as the synod in Germany plays out, there has been “a palpable lack of unity regarding the faith of the Catholic Church.”

“This is not a subjective assessment, we have heard the concern in this regard publicly expressed by various bishops and cardinals in the German Church; while we have learned how different agencies of the Holy See are trying to accompany and illuminate the synodal process,” he said.

“Unity is a great miracle that the Holy Spirit has been at work for two thousand years in the Church, at the same time, it is a great challenge and responsibility for all of us who comprise the Church,” the bishop said.

Bishop Munilla explained that “moved by the sensus ecclesiae, the spontaneous reaction of many of the faithful – especially contemplative souls who give their lives for the Church – has been to give themselves over to prayer and fasting for the unity of the Church.”

The Bishop of San Sebastián reiterated the need to pray for the unity of the Church since “we are not facing a battle on a human level, but rather dealing with the evil spirit that hates the Church of Christ and wants to see it divided.”

Bishop Munilla stressed that the “unity of the Church cannot be sustained by a certain ideological sensibility, nor by a consensus among worldly sensibilities” but rather “it is a gift of the Spirit, which requires our personal and communal conversion, which makes possible the acceptance of the gift of Revelation whole and entire.”

The CDF issued a “Responsum ad dubium” March 15 replying to the question, “does the Church have the power to give the blessing to unions of persons of the same sex?” The doctrinal congregation answered, “Negative”, explaining its reasoning in an “explanatory note” and accompanying commentary.

In recent years, German bishops in particular have been increasingly outspoken in demanding “discussions about an opening” towards acceptance of practiced homosexuality and the blessing of homosexual unions in the Church.

The plays a central role in one of four forums that constitute the “Synodal Process” underway in Germany.


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29 Comments

  1. How about excommunication the bishops involved in the blessings?
    .
    But then there might be schism, and the Vatican will loose all the German taxpayer money.

  2. Maybe we can get the Russians to leave the Ukraine border and instead mass along the German border. Those renegade German bishops like Overbeck and his followers have got to go. Come to think of it, the Russians might already have that in mind. The Russians know from experience how Communism seeks to divide and destroy Christanity and that is exactly what these bad German bishops are doing. There will be a reckoning.

  3. The CDF claims that the Church has no power to bless same-sex unions. Bishops or other ‘Catholic’ priests who then so bless do not act with the power of the Church. Such blessings are farcical, fraudulent, and false.

    May God have mercy on lost schismatic souls.

    May God strike lightning bolts within the pope’s heart and mind and soul. May the pope act decisively, with clarity, with consequence, in the name of his Lord. As the Vicar of Christ, the pope has the power to call the bishops of the Church to account so they may further the teaching of the Church.

    Otherwise, inaction leads to nihilism, irrelevance, incompetence, and weakness not of Christ. A man with fortitude is needed. A man with God as his shield and his staff is needed.

    In the glory of the Easter Season, with Pentecost soon to come, we pray for humility, sanctity, reason, and charity. Hear us, O Lord.

  4. Excommunication for heresy and schism is long overdue for the large majority of German “Catholic” bishops and apparently a large proportion of the “Catholic” laity as well.

  5. How is what the Germans are now doing not Schismatic in terms of Canon Law? Wouldn’t this qualify Overbeck and his buddies Latae sententiae excommunications?

    • Are you completely unaware this is all going according to the Pope’s yes, yes, no no strategy? Just wait the Pope will intervene shortly and make them some concession that will continue to move their modernist agenda forward incrementally.

  6. Not meaning to be crude, but what is it with these Bishops and sodomy?
    That’s what they want blessed, at it’s core. One need to merely think about how gross that is in order to make a decision on it.

  7. Matthew 7:14-16 (RSVCE)
    14 “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
    15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?”

    Acts 20:28-30 (RSVCE)
    28 Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of the Lord which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

    • Thank you for the well chosen Scripture Todd. It is indeed so true about the bad Shepherds in Germany as read in Ezekiel 34:4-25. The Lord will see to their evil for the sake of his flock Isaiah 66:4.
      We also pray for their conversion and ask the Lord and his endless Mercy to send the Holy Spirit to rekindle the fire on them and melt away their sinful ways. We know that the Lord’s victory has already been won at Calvary. St Peter is at the gate and let’s hope and trust in the Lord with praying and fasting.

  8. It’s about even more than the Magisterium…

    Humanae Vitae (HV, 1968) affirmed that “of such laws [the natural law] the church was not the author, nor consequently can she be their arbiter; she is only their depository and their interpreter, without ever being able to declare to be licit that which is not so by reason of its intimate and unchangeable opposition to the true good of man” (n. 18).

    And the Catechism (1992) and Veritatis Splendor (1993) remind us of the same. But who needs any of this when you can have the license of logical positivism?
    HV also warned against the arbitrary power of the state: “…a dangerous weapon would thus be placed in the hands of those public authorities who take no heed of moral exigencies” (n. 17).

    Only “public authorities”? So, now, we have parody-blessings by German-speaking termites within the Church itself, so supinely swept along as they are by the current tsunami of “whatever.”

    Get in front of the parade! We are reminded of the gay crowd admitted into the public/non-religious St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York not so long ago. And of the frog on the stove.

  9. There is an arrogance in that part of the world that has repeatedly led to disaster. When will there be a bit of humility that might derive from reflecting on the historical record. It’s fairly plain to see, and is not a record that inspires pride. Shame might even serve better. But the smugness and condescension is mind-boggling. These are the folks who demand that the rest of the Church and world see them as righteous trend-setters.

  10. Why is it that Catholics — both clerics and lay — still consider themselves to be Catholic even when they don’t believe what the Church teaches?

    Would they consider themselves New Yorkers if they lived in Walla Walla? In shape if they were morbidly obese? Female if they were born male?

    Um, wait a sec. Maybe that last example is not the best analogy.

    In fact I see now that analogies don’t actually apply when they are directed at leftism. Because leftists are themselves the arbiters of reality.

    Whatever they say something is, it is.

    So females aren’t female. Catholics are not Catholic. Riots are peaceful.

    And so on.

    (Sigh.)

    I’m beginning to find this new leftist order a tad annoying.

  11. One Bishop José Ignacio Munilla Aguirre Spain speaks out against same sex unions, that refusal of blessing implies and it’s heard around the world. Why are the majority of remainder dead silent? Is it that dead silence a pun or is it a form of moribund faith? What great impact if they stood openly with Bishop Munilla Aguirre for the faith, especially the suffering confused laity many leaving Catholicism precisely because of this insouciance.

    • Thank you, Fr, for your excellent comment! I just wonder why it cannot be done! Why can’t some bishop organize a group of like minded bishops to counter the German ideology. If the Germans do what they obvious want to do, it will spread through the world, especially America!

      • True Jeffrey. Apparently, it’s what James suggests that they lack the “temerity to demand a blistering correction from the bishop of Rome”. Bishops fear him, there’s heavy handed evidence of this with Josef Siefert [a layman] in Spain with pressure on their bishops to dismiss him, and the most obvious the humiliating demotion of Cardinal DiNardo as Pres USCCB effectively replacing his leadership with his lackey Cardinal Cupich. Simply because DiNardo attempted to address the real moral issue within the Church hierarchy, and among presbyters adult sexual networking [also, perhaps the successive deaths of Cardinals Joachim Meisner, Carlo Caffarra soon after they submitted the Dubia]. The strongest voice because of its direct theologically correct admonitions has been Fr T Weinandy OFM Cap. There is ingrained fear because he’s the pope, but if the pope abuses justice and acts errantly outside the jurisdiction of his office they are actually obliged to correct him. You’re correct, it’s becoming obvious exempting divine intervention that it’s up to the bishops to save the Church from apostasy.

  12. The Pope needs to be very forceful in this matter.

    If a German bishop blesses a gay union, such bishop must be excommunicated. The Pope then needs to name a successor bishop in each diocese that loses a bishop through excommunication.

  13. It appears this faithful bishop cannot muster the temerity to demand a blistering correction of the Teutonic heresy from the Bishop of Rome. Is that not at the root of the problem?

  14. These are the smoke of Satan that has entered the Church. They stay on to wreak heavoc within the Church (Satan come to kill , to steal and to destroy) and also to enjoy the good life in the Church system.
    Why didn’t the Vatican remove these people ? Its because the Vatican itself is filled with the minions of Satan in its heirachy and administrative service.

  15. https://www.universalis.com/20210411/today.htm – The explanation for the struggle that St.Thomas was allowed to undergo , before he could believe in the bodily resurrection of The Lord – the despair and its demands in the above situation also likely from the same root . The gentleness with which the Holy Father is dealing with it , an aspect of his wisdom in knowing that the attitude of the Prodigal’s Father is needed – he had long ago rightly pointed to the root of the issue as ‘searching for The Father .’- a Father that did not detest the bodily filth of the
    son . The need to experience the sacredness in the body ? the great hunger of our times , from all the sins against same in our culture . In Germany too , the deep void in that realm, in spite of the material wealth , the cultural baggages with the related guilt , effects of pagan ties through Nazism that deny the sacredness of the body – can see why Holy Father want to be gentle and patient enough ; others in The Church as with the above Bishop being supportive with the right approach would be hopefully taken up by many of the laity too , also as reparation for misunderstanding the Holy Father and his good intentions .
    There is the popular dieting regime called intermittent fasting of limiting food intake to limited hours a day etc : – even such , offered up united to the fasting days of The Lord , for the body to be set free from the effects of the rebellious self will against the Divine Will and the spirits behind such to be driven away so that The Spirit would take up His place in conveying the sacredness gained through The Passion of The Lord .Same then to enable the praise and gratitude for every heart beat , every drop of blood , affirming with the Psalmist , on behalf of oneself and the other –
    ‘ The Lord is My Shepherd , I shall not want ..’ .
    May the unity of good intention in The Church bring forth the joy and feasting , after the moment of trial –

    https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/pope-francis-prayer-for-protection-from-covid-19-14273

    • JPG:

      Here the story of the Prodigal Son is employed by you. “…an aspect of his wisdom in knowing that the attitude of the Prodigal’s Father is needed – he had long ago rightly pointed to the root of the issue as ‘searching for The Father .’- a Father that did not detest the bodily filth of the son .”

      The story of the Prodigal Son and the loving father’s response is a singular familial encounter after the son came back in repentance, however, the errant German bishop’s upcoming sinful act of proposing to bless would be sinful behavior is a completely different matter. It is incomprehensible to me that you can twist this beautiful story of a SON GONE WRONG who REPENTED, to German bishops blessing? would-be sinful unions. In your comparison there is no mention of scandal to the community at large, nor the approval of and aiding of some German bishops to setting precedent in blessing? a would-be sinful lifestyle.

      The loving prelate father would help his charges to navigate their “predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex” toward “the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection”, having united their suffering to that of Christ.

      Your comparison does not pass the smell test.

      Read again for your own reflection CCC Chastity and homosexuality:

      2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.”142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

      2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

      2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

      All the best to you.

      • Thank you for taking the time and trouble to analyze and respond ; the error is in misunderstanding the point that the Holy Father is the one waiting like the Father of the prodigal , for the return of any and all who condone the error and going against the decision from Vatican . The call by the Bishop for fasting and prayer is in from similar hope .
        Today being Feast day of St.George as well as birthday of S.G Luisa of the Divine Will –

        http://www.comingofthekingdom.org/the-way-of-sanctification/happy-birthday-luisa/

        There in is likely the hope and patience in those who wait – like the Father of the prodigal .
        Blessings !

        • The ‘mystery of suffering ‘- IIRR, St.John Paul 11 alludes to same ; most of us desire to be devotees to the Precious Blood devotion , in honor of the Love and Power our Lord desires to pour into our lives and we in turn , desiring to do so ,in our own baptismal roles , for each other . The 24 Hour of Passion meditations given through Luisa helps to make its aspects more explicit – the yearning to go around and share the blessings with all , to bring new joys to all – our Lord , in His great generosity , to bless us for our intention to be in oneness with His Will .

          http://www.passioiesus.org/en/

          The Bishops and priests , laity and all too in their sufferings and prayers and blessings , doing so even if in an indirect manner for us all.

          The Church , as a good Mother , do not desire the children to go in the path of the Prodigal , in the rebellious self will and its evils that would need the long hard for the return – many may not return ; instead , She advocates the wisdom that persons would stay in the House of The Father , invite in the ‘friends ‘ there , in the ardent yearning through fasting and all , going around spiritually to share The Precious Blood with all , desiring conversion of all , all the while being grateful for our spiritual Fathers too through whom our Lord shares His Graces , thus to be a household of many blessed and holy relationships , in the trust and hope in The Lord and His Spirit .
          Blessings !

      • Why is it wrong for them to perform a blessing that honors or recognizes the love between two people? I wasn’t aware that the blessing carries with it a stipulation that they must go have homosexual sex. Did I miss something there? Perhaps if the church valued love between persons of any background, i.e.: sex, sexual orientation, creed, nationality, gender identity, we might see fewer wars and human rights violations. The Catholic church has come along way but still has farther to go if we are to be a welcoming and loving family to anyone drawn to God through it’s teachings.

  16. In the ways of Providence , the Holy Father was likely being prepared from his early years , to deal with the situation in Germany , in the trials ne was allowed , during the time he spent there – https://www.miamiarch.org/CatholicDiocese.php?op=Article_pope-francis-my-life-three-moments-of-solitude
    Bl.Mother too , whose maternal care and love for him has been amply reciprocated by the Holy Father , on the many occasions of witnessing and exhorting The Church in same too , including his devotion to Our Lady ,as Undoer of knots – of ? German origin !
    The Holy Spirit inspired decision of the Pope Emer. too , announced on Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (as The Immaculate Conception that highlights the purity in marriage as well ) – likely related to the painful situation in own homeland that The Spirit likely had shown him that same needs the strength of ardent prayers , to support the ( new ) Holy Father in doing the heavy lifting with gentleness and warmth .
    Good to have come across these words of the Holy Father too , on Fatherhood as closeness , compassion and tenderness , given us through the Sacred humanity of The Lord – that alone brings us the holiness that makes the sense of ‘closeness ‘ to be true and real , that we hear as in invoking The Precious Blood as ‘bringing forth virgins’ !

    May the thirst in hearts and lives be recognized for what it is , to call on
    The Mother along with the Holy Father and many to be the helpers to draw the waters to fill the jars all around !

    http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope:-in-Iraq-to-meet-a-people-who-have-suffered-so-much-and-that-martyred-Church-52495.html

  17. Any type of blessing of same-sex unions is a blessing of sinful behavior and is, therefore, completely unacceptable. The intrinsic evil nature of any type of sexual relationship between same-sex couples has been handed down through over 2,000 years of Church teaching, leaving the Church with no authority to make changes. This does not stop people of faith from reaching out to those suffering from same-sex attraction. However, such outreach must be in the context of bringing conversion of heart and repentance when sinful behavior is encountered. There are many living with a same-sex attraction that are committed to living a chaste life in accordance with Church teaching. They often need accompaniment on their journey as they are bearing a difficult cross.

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  1. Over 500 (5) German priests vow to defy Church’s ban on same-sex couples. A much-hyped blessing service for same-sex couples in Germany at more than 50 (5) parishes is being planned for May 10. Increasing LGBTQIA2S+ (5) Depravity, Deception, Delusion, D

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