As the Roman Catholic Church struggles to preserve doctrinal unity in the midst of dissent, a German Franciscan order has become the latest to openly contest historic Catholic teaching.
Father Markus Fuhrman, a Franciscan friar belonging to the province of Saint Elisabeth in Germany, has been elected as the new superior of the Franscians residing there, right on the heels of his public self-avowal as a homosexual.
LifeSiteNews reported that, in an interview with German news service MK-Online, Fuhrman expressed disagreement with Catholic teaching on the subjects of marriage and sexual morality, stating that “as this morality has been officially taught so far, it does not serve life. It must change or develop.” He also hoped that his decision to come out would help to spark further developments within the Church, going as far as to say “we as a church are colorful, that we are (also) queer”, and that homosexuality should be viewed as normal by the Church.
Fuhrman is not the first Franciscan to openly defy Rome. Daniel P. Horan, a Franciscan friar who teaches at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, wrote an article for the National Catholic Reporter blasting Catholic criticism of “gender ideology” and called for the abandonment of an “eight centuries old understanding of the human person” which he charged is used by the Church to “dehumanize and dismiss whole populations of people”. After the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the body responsible for safeguarding the doctrine on faith and morals, issued a statement condemning the blessing of same sex unions, a Franciscan group called Franciscan Action Network released a counter statement lamenting the decision by the CDF.
Nor is Fuhrman the only German to have expressed these sentiments. Germany has become a scene of great conflict for the Catholic Church, as both Germany clergy and laypeople have begun to openly question Church teaching and call for breaks from traditional doctrines.
Earlier this year in March, Georg Bätzing, the bishop of Limburg, Germany, condemned Church teaching on marriage, arguing that “we have to somewhat change the Catechism on this matter. Sexuality is a gift from God. And not a sin.” Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich and Freising, also expressed controversial views about the Catholic Catechism, saying that “it is not set in stone” and that a Catholic can “doubt what it says” while remaining in good standing with the Church. Roughly two months later, about a hundred churches in Germany held ceremonies where priests blessed homosexual couples, with many of the churches adorned in rainbow decorations.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear on the subject, hence why those Catholics who oppose Rome’s teachings are so adamant about revising them: “Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered”, and that “Under no circumstances can they be approved”. Yet efforts are underway to formalize the dissent that has arisen in Germany. Many of these developments have emerged as the results of the Synodal Way, a controversial organization comprised of German bishops and laypeople that have questioned a host of Catholic doctrines and called for their reevaluation or outright change. In February, the group voted overwhelmingly to not only echo calls for the blessings of gay unions, but also for the ordination of women as priests.
The group has been condemned by Catholics worldwide. In April, Catholic World Report released an article about an open letter signed by over 70 Catholic bishops from around the globe expressing concern over the Synodal Way. One passage from the letter reads: “Failing to listen to the Holy Spirit and the Gospel, the Synodal Path’s actions undermine the credibility of Church authority, including that of Pope Francis; Christian anthropology and sexual morality; and the reliability of Scripture”. Former Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, who submitted a letter of resignation to the pope after calls to step down, feared that the group’s actions could lead to a schism, and worried that a “German national church” could be created as a result of the synod. Woelki hoped instead for genuine reform in the Church in regards to better instructing the faithful, lamenting how many Catholics fail to understand “who Christ is, what the church is” or what Her teachings are.
Pope Francis himself has also addressed the issue of Germany. On June 14, Francis met with editors of several Jesuit journals. During the meeting, Francis recalled a remark he shared to Bishop Batzing: “In Germany, there is a very good Evangelical Church. We don’t need two.’” Francis noted the worsening conditions of the Catholic Church in Germany, stating that the presence of “pressure groups” along with bad economic conditions were also likely factors contributing to the dissent among certain German clergy. In 2019, Francis also addressed the Church in Germany in a letter that showed worry over the “multifaceted deterioration” of the Faith, and called for greater evangelization efforts and reform within the Church. Whether disciplinary actions will be taken by the Vatican remains to be seen.
Comment by Steve on June 30, 2022 at 10:49 am
This is not a UMC problem. This is a Christian Church problem. The Catholic Church and every Protestant denomination that defines marriage between one man and one woman are under attack by socio-pol activists. Creating a new denomination just creates another target for them. The answer is to push back with love. There are already Protestant denominations that have thousands of churches that are LGBT+ friendly. There is no discrimination in the Protestant church against LGBT+ members. There is nothing hateful or harmful in saying that our theology is different but we are glad our faith, the Protestant faith, has denominations that allow LGBT+ members to worship in churches that meet their needs. Many people change denominations to find one that brings them closer to the presence of God. I know I have. LGBT+ members already have many denominations that meet their needs. There is no need to change denominations from meeting our needs. THAT is discrimination.
Comment by Giovanni Del Piero on June 30, 2022 at 11:39 am
You are looking at the Roman Catholic Church with Protestant glasses. We don’t think people in our Church can just make a new denomination when they feel like it because they disagree. We believe our Church and her dogmatic teachings to be without error. To deny this as a Catholic is to put yourself under the penalty of heresy and thereby excommunicate yourself from the Church of Rome. “Liberal Catholics” are by definition not Catholic, but rather heretics who are dissenting from official teaching. They must either conform to the teachings of the Church or leave. That simple.
Comment by Robert Anson on June 30, 2022 at 12:21 pm
The Catholic Church has a major problem that it won’t face up to: a largely homosexual clergy. That the priest in question “came out” is no surprise to anyone who has dealt closely with the Catholic Church. I am a recent graduate of a Catholic University. While non-Catholic, to be part of the community I attended a lot of celebratory masses. I would always ask myself, “Does the congregation acknowledge that Father {Whoever was doing the homily} is a flaming homosexual or do they just put it out of their minds. Over the past few decades of scandal, we have rarely heard of priests molesting girls. The Pope has a big problem on his hands.
Comment by Giovanni Del Piero on June 30, 2022 at 12:56 pm
This is definitely an issue that is not discussed enough. Francis himself has even commented on it a few times, and I think many in America would not be willing to handle the issue effectively
Comment by Jeff on June 30, 2022 at 12:29 pm
>> We believe our Church and her dogmatic teachings to be without error.
Too bad your Pope and a significant percentage of your episcopacy don’t believe in or practice those teachings, Giovanni. The WORD of God is very clear on the Truth. Francis’ embracing of paganism is disturbing — moreso even than his somewhat fluid “positions” on abortion and sexual perversion.
That said, this Christian that you label “Protestant” has more in common with Spirit-led, Bible believing Catholics than I do with progressive faux-christians in the various “protestant” denominations, including especially United Methodism.
I appreciate very much Catholics like Michael Matt of the Remnant Newspaper/TV,; also also John Zmirak’s writings at “The Stream” website resonate with my spirit and soul.
And I appreciate and profit from your articles here, Giovanni. Keep fighting the good fight! May GOD bless you richly and anoint the work of your hands. In JESUS’ name.
Comment by Giovanni Del Piero on June 30, 2022 at 12:55 pm
Thanks! I completely agree. Many of the Holy Father’s actions have led the faithful into confusion and conflict, and I pray that he will speak and act with greater clarity and wisdom. I appreciate your input and would love to hear more feedback from you in the future.
Comment by Tom on June 30, 2022 at 5:27 pm
The Catholic church has a problem with a German monk. This does have a sort of familiar ring to it.
Comment by Search4Truth on July 2, 2022 at 5:40 pm
Giovanni, I think it’s time for the Catholic Church to admit that we do not have a Catholic pope.
Comment by George on July 6, 2022 at 10:57 am
Christian leaders and groups of nearly ALL denominations keep shooting themselves in the head by condemning “homosexuality.” It is a condition, an “affliction” born by some but generally uninvited. They just ARE! As with ALL sin, it is the willful PRACTICE and not the inclination or the temptation that constitutes sin. Sin is BEHAVIOR born of sinful choices regarding the many various temptations we ALL encounter in one way or another. The church’s proper message is one of free forgiveness and reconciliation but only possible in Christ. We are not to embrace sin but offer forgiveness. But when we sit as judge we’re wrong and rightly rejected. I love this faithful saying, “knowing what is right and being able to prove others wrong does not MAKE me right.” Some sin is more destructive in life than others and homosexual sex is very destructive. But, there is no “little” sin because ALL sin leads to death. We Christians need to know and better understand Jesus to get it right. Recognizing sin for what it is, we need to entreat, rather than condemn, the sinner in His name and quit shooting ourselves in the head.