HAMBURG, Germany (CNS) – Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx has called for a change in Catholic teaching on homosexuality, German Catholic news agency KNA reported.
“The catechism is not fixed. One can also wonder what he is saying,” Cardinal Marx told the weekly Stern in an interview published March 31.
“Homosexuality is not a sin. It corresponds to a Christian attitude when two people, regardless of gender, stand up for each other, in joy and sorrow,” he said. The value of love has also been demonstrated by “not objectifying, using or humiliating the other”.
Cardinal Marx added: “LGBTQ+ people are part of creation and are loved by God, and we are called to oppose discrimination. He also said: “Those who threaten homosexuals and anyone else with hell haven’t got it.”
Earlier in March, at a mass celebrating the 20th anniversary of “homosexual services” in Munich, Cardinal Marx apologized for the church’s discrimination against homosexuals. In his sermon, the cardinal promoted an “inclusive church.”
The cardinal told Stern that only 10 years ago he could not have imagined holding such a service.
“For years I’ve felt more free to speak my mind, and I want to advance the teaching of the church,” he told the magazine.
The cardinal said these issues were already discussed six years ago at the Synod of Bishops on the Family at the Vatican. Even then, he said, “People live in an intimate love relationship that also has a form of sexual expression. And we want to say that it is worth nothing?
The archbishop admitted that he had blessed same-sex couples.
“A few years ago in Los Angeles, after a service, two came to ask for my blessing. So I did. It was not a wedding ceremony. We cannot offer the sacrament of marriage.
Cardinal Marx also indicated that it would not be easy to reach a consensus on the issue in the Church.
“In Africa or in the Orthodox churches, there are completely different points of view in certain circles. It doesn’t do people any good if we divide on this issue, but neither should we stand still.
