Thread by @JLLiedl

Next up at #SynodalerWeg: Implementation text on “Celibacy of priesthood”

Began with a religious sister talking about how she embraces celibacy, but doesn’t think that should be a requirement for others.

There will be a motion to decide between asking the Holy Father to RESCIND v RECONSIDER link between conferral of holy orders and commitment to celibacy.

Aux Bishop Schwaderlapp: young people don’t reject celibacy, they just find it unique. Issue is that young priests need and desire to live in community, which goes unmentioned in the doc and its link b/t celibacy and sex abuse.

“Celibacy only makes sense if Jesus Christ exists.”

Urges vote against the text.

Dr. Ulrich Hemel talks about how celibacy was debated before the establishment of the Church…which he says was in the 4th century(?????)

Reminds me: a tour guide in Israel said something similar about 4th. Now I know where he got it. The Rhine flows into Jerusalem, too, I guess

Another religious saying she finds celibacy is fulfilling, but celibacy for priests is different. Religious live in community, priests become more and more lonely. Compulsory celibacy obscures witness that voluntary celibacy entails. Time has come to ask Pope to RESCIND it.

A lot of people saying things like:

-people feel a call to priesthood, but feel a call to get married, too!

-celibacy is clearly a contributing factor to sex abuse

More calls to support amendment to ask Pope to RESCIND compulsory celibacy for priesthood. It’s “an injustice.”

(Obviously some quacky idea that the Catholic Church was established by Constantine/Council of Nicea, not instituted by Christ)

Doc fails to account that in the Protestant church, divorce is high among married clergy, and not requiring celibacy hasn’t done anything to help their vocation numbers.

Bishop Gerber: we have lots of Ukranian Catholic priests living with us in Germany, they’re married, so we should be, too (effectively).

Card. Marx up: Sharing how a bishop says he only ordains men who are ready for celibacy. How does he tell? If they want ordination "not in spite” of celibacy. Says communal life is key to fruitful celibacy. Says “we need to be smart.” Favors asking Pope to REEXAMINE, not rescind

Lots of confusion about what people are voting for re: Motion 22. They’re voting to accept the drafting committees advice to say REEXAMINE instead of RESCIND.

67.6% vote to accept committee’s recommendation.

Basically, the green is for asking the Pope to REEXAMINE mandatory celibacy.

The red is for people who had wanted to ask the Pope to RESCIND mandatory celibacy.

And now the vote on adopting the text that asks the Pope to REEXAMINE mandatory celibacy for the priesthood.

Nearly 95% vote to adopt the implementation text.

For the Bishops:

-only 5 vote against it
-11 abstained
-easily gets 2/3 bishop support

As one participant noted, tomorrow the newspapers will print “German Catholics ask Pope Francis to reexamine mandatory celibacy.” Well, at least the Synodal Way has.

OK, that’s a wrap for me today. I will not be going to the performance of “Responsibility: I” at the Frankfurt Cathedral, because it’s on livestream, I have to write, and…other reasons.