Vatican's Firm Stance on German Bishops and Church Unity
The Vatican has set red lines for discussions with German bishops, stating that women priests and Church teaching on homosexual acts are not up for debate in talks scheduled for next year. The Vatican's note emphasized that the teachings on priestly ordination being reserved for men and the Church's negative judgment on homosexual acts are non-negotiable. This comes in response to resolutions issued by Germany's "synodal way," which called for women deacons, a re-examination of priestly celibacy, lay preaching at Masses, same-sex blessings, and a revision of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on homosexuality. The Vatican's stance follows Pope Francis expressing concerns about elements in the German Church deviating from the universal Church's path.