{"id":26888,"date":"2026-05-30T06:05:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T06:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/26888\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T06:05:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T06:05:35","slug":"queer-voices-were-strong-at-germanys-catholic-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/26888\/","title":{"rendered":"Queer Voices Were Strong at Germany’s ‘Catholic Day’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

The queer prayer service at Catholic Day in Germany.<\/p>\n

During Germany\u2019s biennial \u2018Catholic Day\u2019, queer voices emerged loud and proud in both their worship and their calls for reform.<\/p>\n

Once every two years, Katholikentag (\u2018Catholic Day\u2019) brings together thousands of Catholics in Germany for multiple days of presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and worship services. This year, the conference was held in W\u00fcrzburg and featured several opportunities for LGBTQ+ Catholic voices to be heard. The theme for the event was \u201cHab Mut, Steh Auf!\u201d (\u201cHave courage, stand up!\u201d), taken from the gospel story of the lealing of Bartimaeus, a blind man (Mark 10:46-52).<\/p>\n

According to katholisch.de<\/a>, more than 200 people attended a queer worship service held during the event, with the line of those eager to enter extending outside the church. The service, entitled \u201cLife is Colorful \u2013 Diversity in the Church?!\u201d, included words of strength, support, and blessing, with an emphasis on the need for the unconditional recognition of the human dignity of all people.The service was held in W\u00fcrzburg\u2019s Augustinian Church.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the past, such services took place on the margins; today, we are right in the middle of it all,\u201d said one of the event\u2019s organizers. The service was prepared by the initiative #OutInChurch, the Augustinian Monastery in W\u00fcrzburg, the Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ), the Network of Catholic Lesbians, the Ecumenical Working Group on Homosexuality and the Church (HuK), and \u201cQueer and Christian in the Diocese of W\u00fcrzburg.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

The prayer aid for the service which reads \u201cHave Courage, Stand Up.\u201d<\/p>\n

HuK also published on their website <\/a>a call of Catholic Reform Forces in light of Catholic Day. Over 30 Catholc reform groups joined this call for reform in the church, which stated, in part:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAmidst the immense challenges and upheavals confronting our Church and our society, we are witnessing a turning point in history\u2014one that demands courageous reforms across all areas and at every level,. This can only be achieved through unity and solidarity. As reform-minded Catholics, we are motivated by the liberating vision of Jesus\u2014by the love of God and neighbor\u2014which calls upon us to work concretely toward a more just Church and a more just world.\u201d<\/p>\n

In their call for reform, organizers advocate for a church that acknowledges the lived realities of its members, especially the most marginalized. They advocate for a church \u201cthat takes participation and democracy seriously\u201d and \u201cthat finally confronts the systemic causes of sexual and spiritual abuse.\u201d They encouraged all to be involved to create \u201ca Church without fear\u201d:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe call upon all people\u2014young and old, singles, couples, divorcees, and queer individuals alike:\u2019Have courage! Stand up!\u2019 Get involved, make your voices heard, advocate for the marginalized, shape the Church in your local communities, and let a breath of fresh air blow through the house! For a Church without fear\u2014an open home where we live out and celebrate diversity and difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the spirit of this call for reform, members organized a human chain from St. Kilian\u2019s Cathedral to the Augustinian Church (about 400 meters, about a quarter of a mile). Organizers titled the human chain \u201cI Want You to Be\u2026\u201d in support of gender justice within the Church, in conjunction with the initiative #meingottdiskriminiertnicht (\u201cMy God Does Not Discriminate\u201d).<\/p>\n

In each of these examples, LGBTQ+ Catholics made it clear that they are active and present members of the church in Germany\u2013 not simply asking for recognition, but rather claiming their place at the table and calling boldly for reform.<\/p>\n

\u2014Phoebe Carstens, New Ways Ministry, May 29, 2026<\/p>\n

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