Place of worship - Neymeyr Expresses Support for Female Ordination in the Ministry
Erfurt's Bishop Ulrich Neymeyr recognizes the need for reform within the Catholic Church regarding the role of women. During a recent interview with ZDF-Morgenmagazin, he expressed, "Many Catholic women and men in Germany, along with the bishops, desire to see the ordination of women opened - at the very least, for deaconesses."
In the Catholic Church, only men can hold the ordained offices of deacon, priest, and bishop. Neymeyr shared in the interview, "We undeniably stray away from societal consensus in this matter." In today's Germany, there are no longer any restrictions on women's involvement in society solely due to their gender.
The 103rd Catholic Day in Erfurt commenced on Wednesday, bringing forth conversations on numerous topics, including war and peace, populism, and democracy. In this gathering, believers will also engage with internal church matters, including the role of women and the handling of abuse.
For years, the Catholic Church in Germany has deliberated on the ordination of women, priestly celibacy, and increased involvement of believers. However, this reform faces opposition from the Vatican, certain world church representatives, and even some German bishops. The Catholic Church made a stride towards liberalization in April as the Permanent Council of the German Bishops' Conference ratified the statutes of the Synodal Council. This committee will be responsible for coordinating a synodal council where lay representatives from the Central Committee of German Catholics and bishops will collaborate to advise and make decisions together.
