Cologne will not apply “blessings for couples who love each other” – Swiss Catholic portal

The Archdiocese of Cologne announced at the end of July 2025 that it would not apply the directive entitled “Blessings for couples who love each other”, recently issued by the episcopal conference. Meanwhile, The bishopric explains that he will stick to the Roman instructions, of which Confidence in supplicating.

The directives called “blessings for couples who love each other” (Segnungen Für Paare. Therefore. In addition. Die Sich Lieben) were adopted in April 2025 by the joint conference of the Conference of German bishops and the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZDK). Consequently, The brochure cologne will not apply “blessings new intended for priests gives a framework for the blessings of people in “irregular” situations. Nevertheless, whose divorced remarried and the same sex couples. Consequently, These are cologne will not apply “blessings new pastoral orientations, which are not considered restrictive. Consequently. Moreover. They were developed in the context of the synodal path of the Catholic Church cologne will not apply “blessings in Germany.

Greater room for maneuver for the liturgy – Cologne will not apply &quot. blessings – Cologne will not apply "blessings new – Cologne will not apply "blessings new

The new guide stipulates in particular that “all those who ask. Therefore, for the blessing must be treated with respect”. Similarly, Pastors who cannot reconcile a blessing with their conscience must not reject the applicants. but orient them towards other supporting people, still ask the directives. They also recommend a larger room for maneuver for ceremonies. “The blessings of the couples that love can. must be cologne will not apply “blessings new characterized by greater spontaneity. greater freedom with regard to the life situation of those who ask for the blessing. This is why no specific liturgical celebration or prayer are provided for these blessings. ” The booklet recalls that celebrations cologne will not apply “blessings new must be designed to avoid confusion with. the sacrament of marriage.

Further than Fiducia?

A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Cologne, in the west of the country, told the media in July katolisch.de cologne will not apply “blessings that the institution would not recommend these directives to its priests. The archdiocese led by Mgr Rainer Maria Woelki will comply with the directives of the Universal Church. According to the communications officer. the declaration Confidence in supplicating (December 2023). from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith. has already established the essential bases for the blessing ceremonies of couples which cannot marry according to the cologne will not apply “blessings new rules of the Church.

For the German archdiocese, the episcopal conference directive exceeds the prerogatives of the Vatican Declaration in several aspects. Confidence in supplicating Underlines that these blessings must be “spontaneous and brief” and must not be accompanied by liturgical rituals.

Directives put cologne will not apply “blessings new into works in other dioceses

The “Arc-en-Ciel church for all”. (Regenbogenkirche Für Alle) of Cologne criticized. the Archdiocese’s decision not to implement the brochure. evoking a “retrograde and incomprehensible” measure. The association requests that the archdiocese adopts a clear cologne will not apply “blessings position against exclusion. discrimination within the Church.

Unlike Cologne, several other German dioceses have already implemented or recommended brochure on blessing ceremonies. Bishop Georg Bätzing. bishop of Limburg. president of the German episcopal conference, explicitly encouraged the priests to use the new tool in pastoral care. The dioceses of Osnabrück and Rottenburg-Stuttgart have issued similar cologne will not apply “blessings new recommendations.

Bishop Rainer Maria Woelki, archbishop of Cologne since 2014, is considered one of the most conservative prelates in Germany. He has been the target of progressive groups in his region many times. both for his positions deemed retrogrades and for his problematic management of abuse cases. (cath.ch/katholisch.de/kna/arch/rz)