AWAKENING TO A PARALLEL UNIVERSE

Sometimes, after a long night’s sleep, I feel that I have awakened to a parallel universe where white is black, black is white, up is down, etc....

This morning I read that a German Bishop again (again, mind you) proposed that Catholic Church provide blessing ceremonies for gay couples, as well as divorced and civilly remarried couples.

That is news in and of itself, but what is truly remarkable is that the proposal actually gained support at the Church Conference in Frankfurt where it was discussed this past weekend.

In an interview with Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung, Bishop Franz-Josef Bode, Deputy Chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference,  stated:  "We need to think about how we can differentiate a relationship between two same-sex people. Is not there so much that is positive, good and right that we have to be fairer?"

The Bishop added that, since same-sex unions are a reality in the country, “We must therefore ask ourselves how we meet those who enter into this relationship and who are also partly involved in the Church.  How do we accompany them pastorally and liturgically? How do we live up to them?"  

Father Johannes Zu Eltz, the City-dean of the Catholic Church in Frankfurt and a senior official in the Diocese of Limburg, earlier stated that the Church should consider "theologically founded blessing ceremonies" for couples who do not meet the requirements for marriage in the Church.  
His suggestion was made during the Frankfurt City Church Forum II, attended by 170 Church leaders. Such forums are used to discuss reforms that can be made within the local Church.

These recent proposals are not the first time that German Clergy have suggested the Church bless same-sex unions or couples in irregular situations.

In 2015, ahead of the Synod on the Family, Bishop Bode stated that, while he understood that the Church could not consider these unions as marriages, the Church should consider the strengths as well as the weaknesses of such unions and perhaps provide a private blessing.

Now, regarding those with same-sex attraction, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: 

The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection. (CCC 2358-2359).

I understand this to mean that persons with same-sex attraction are to conform their lives (to the best of their ability as we all must) to the teachings of the Gospel and Holy Mother Church.  They are (again to the best of their ability and with the help of God's grace) to avoid homosexual acts and relationships which disordered and contrary to the Will of the Creator and Natural Law itself.

But, in the parallel universe I earlier referenced, these same paragraphs are understood as somehow legitimizing same-sex unions but even affirming those unions by way of a religious ceremony as well.

And who, in this parallel universe, is advocating such proposals:  Catholic Bishops in Germany (and elsewhere as I have noted in prior postings).

I best return to bed, hoping that when I awaken, I shall have returned to the universe where white is white and black is black and life and truth makes sense again.