A German bishop has barred the blessing of a same-gender couple’s relationship just as marriage equality in the nation became effective October 1, and his decision was received poorly by a religious organization for LGBT people, while a powerful German Catholic lay organization reiterated its call for marriage equality.

Mayor Peter Hinze

Bishop Felix Genn of Münster forbad a church blessing for the mayor of the city of Emmericher, Peter Hinze, and his partner, which had been planned for September 30. Fr. Stefan Sühling was to celebrate a “blessing for loved ones” during a Liturgy of the Word, reported Katholisch.de.

Hinze said the prohibition gives one “the impression that we are second-class people,” and that “dogs, cats and motorcycles are blessed, but we are not worth it?” Diocesan spokesperson Bishop Stephan Kronenburg told a German news outlet that the prohibition was “not about degrading a same-sex partnership,” but necessary to make clear that same-gender civil marriages are not equivalent to sacramental marriages.

More:  – New Ways Ministry