Skip to content

Vatican Draws Line on Women’s Ordination and Homosexuality in New Letter to German Bishops

The Vatican has informed German bishops in writing that the ordination of women and changes in the Church’s teaching on homosexuality cannot be subjects of discussion in the upcoming meetings with delegates of the German Synodal Way in Rome.    

The letter, dated October 23rd, also reminded the bishops of potential disciplinary consequences for anyone defying the teaching of the Church. Written by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, and addressed to the Secretary General of the German Bishops’ Conference, Beate Gilles, the letter was shared with all German diocesan bishops. The latest in a growing list of Vatican interventions regarding the German Synodal Way.     

German bishops and representatives of the Roman Curia met in the Vatican in July for discussions about the German Synodal Way. These talks will continue in January, April, and July 2024. They are expected to cover ecclesiology, anthropology, morality, and liturgy, and texts of the Synodal Way. 

 

This article was edited by Jacob Stein.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp

EWTN

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

I agree that EWTN will keep me informed about news, faith stories and how to best support their work. You will never receive e-mails from us that you do not want to receive. You can unsubscribe any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis: Strong Pro-Life Words Against Abortion, Surrogacy, Gender Theory

Pope Francis and his pro-life teachings. Strong words in contrast to secular society's throwaway culture.

1700 Years Later: The Council of Nicaea and the Creed That United the Church

Discover with EWTN: The Council of Nicaea took place here exactly 1700 years ago. It was also the birthplace of the Nicene Creed.

Pope Leo XIV’s Connection to the Pauline Chapel

It’s worth noting that the Pauline Chapel, one of three in the Apostolic Palace, is pictured in the Holy Father’s official portrait. The personal chapel of the Holy Father is the official place for the pope’s prayers and Masses.

Pope Francis: People — not machines — are the value of work

Pope Francis told a group of entrepreneurs this week that work’s greatest value comes from human beings, not

PHOTOS: Pope Francis’ first World Youth Day speech: ‘God’s heart beats uniquely for you’

At Pope Francis’ first official World Youth Day event in Portugal, he told the 500,000 young people in
Giovanni Boscia, the new director general of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), commonly known as the Vatican Bank. | Credit: Istituto per le Opere di Religione (IOR)

Vatican Bank names new director general

Giovanni Boscia will succeed Gian Franco Mammì in managing the daily operations of the Institute for the Works

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com