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A group that doesn’t want homosexuality to be mentioned in the new code of conduct is called the “Churer Priests’ Circle”.
Zero tolerance for sexual abuse and an open attitude towards homosexuality: These are the cornerstones of a new code of conduct that the Diocese of Chur presented at the beginning of April.
But now there is resistance from the conservative side. A group of priests from the diocese, who say they have 43 members, are refusing to sign the code. The critics agree with 95 percent of the code, i.e. with all measures relating to the prevention of abuse. It is the open handling of homosexuality that annoys the critics. The code clearly states that all sexual orientations are to be accepted.
Pastors are forbidden to ask about sexuality in conversations. And anyone who wants to come out should be supported. That cannot be reconciled with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, says Roland Graf, secretary of this group of priests.
Appeal to Scripture
Because for him it is clear: Openly lived homosexuality contradicts the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. «What matters is what is in the catechism of the Catholic Church. It says there that there are sexual tendencies, but that living out these homosexual tendencies is not okay, even with reference to the Holy Scriptures. » The group’s statement also states that the code of conduct is an attempt to “implant LGBTI ideology in the church under the guise of preventing abuse”.
Legend:
Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain (right) and Stefan Müller, President of the Biberbrugger Conference, sign the Code of Conduct on April 5 in the Episcopal Palace in Chur. The Code of Conduct of the Diocese of Chur should be binding for all employees, including senior staff.
key stone
The critics are therefore demanding that the code of conduct be withdrawn or at least amended and refuse to sign it. It is precisely this signature that Bishop Joseph Bonnemain demands.
Uncooperative threatens dismissal
At the media conference on the code of conduct, he spoke of training for those who would have trouble with the new rules. “If that doesn’t work, you have to determine further measures. For example, that this person takes on supervision, possibly psychotherapeutic support. If that doesn’t help either, you have to part with such an employee in the end.” This means that anyone who does not sign the code must leave.
The bishop has always declared himself open to dialogue. Now he can show that he is.
Critic Roland Graf does not believe that it will come to that. “I don’t think I’ll be in this position. I really have hope now. The bishop has always declared himself open to dialogue. Now he can show that he is.” In fact, Bishop Bonnemain is willing to talk. In a communiqué, he states that he takes the statement seriously and that he will work to ensure that clarification can take place. How a clarification that satisfies both sides could look like, however, is not foreseeable at the moment.