Catholic Central Committee Alleges Benedict of Employing "Salam Maneuvers"
German Catholic Committee Calls for Change in Church's Stance on Sexual Abuse and Same-Sex Partnerships
Irme Stetter-Karp, the president of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), has expressed her concerns about the handling of sexual abuse cases and the church's stance on same-sex partnerships.
In a recent statement, Stetter-Karp stated that a Christian sexual morality should accept and respect the reality of people's lives. She criticized Pope Benedict for his admission regarding a false statement in the abuse report of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, stating that his admission is insufficient and appears to be a tactic of gradual concessions.
Stetter-Karp believes that Benedict has not considered the victims of sexual abuse and has emphasized that what's more important is for emeritus Pope Benedict to take personal and moral responsibility. She also called for an end to the discrimination of same-sex partnerships within the church, a call that the presidium of ZdK supports.
The ZdK has been a key player in advocating for reforms within the Catholic Church in Germany. Their focus includes issues like sexual abuse, church governance, and the role of women in the church. However, specific details about their stance on Pope Benedict's handling of abuse cases or the church's position on same-sex partnerships are not available in the provided search results.
In a positive development, votes on texts in the first reading during the Synodal Way show many bishops wish for clear decisions to fully recognize existing diversity. This could potentially pave the way for reforms within the church.
Despite his advanced age, Stetter-Karp has rejected the demand that Benedict should renounce his papal name and revert to Ratzinger. Instead, she hopes for a new beginning in the continuation of the Synodal Way.
Systemic abuse and its marginalization have not been eliminated and need to be addressed. The ZdK, along with other progressive members within the church, continues to advocate for change and reforms to ensure a safer and more inclusive environment for all.
Stetter-Karp also expressed confidence that the 125 LGBTQ+ church employees will not face legal consequences. She remains hopeful that the church will continue to evolve and embrace diversity, respect, and acceptance in its teachings and practices.
Other progressive members within the church, besides the ZdK, should similarly advocate for an end to discrimination against same-sex partnerships and a more inclusive stance on politics of sexual morality, akin to the call made by Stetter-Karp. In the context of general-news, crime-and-justice, the church employees who are LGBTQ+ should not face legal consequences for their identities, as stated by Stetter-Karp, signifying a potential shift towards a more accepting and respectful environment within the church.
