From autumn there will be a “stationary position for queer-sensitive pastoral care”. According to the diocese, they want to create a culture of welcome for those who have previously felt excluded.
The diocese of Augsburg creates a contact point for queer people. The Swabian diocese announced on Tuesday that the “post for queer-sensitive pastoral care” should be filled for the first time on September 1st. Bishop Bertram Meier said that the new position should set a double sign. “Following the example of Jesus Christ, the Church of Augsburg should also seek and find closeness to all people. We also want to develop a welcoming culture for those who previously felt excluded.”
The measure of pastoral care is always the human being as he is. Pastoral officer Andreas Ihm, who has been working for the diocese as a police chaplain and social media manager, is to take over the position. In the future, it will offer queer people and their families and friends a contact point. Andreas Him should continue to do police pastoral care in addition to his new job.
The opening of the Catholic Church to homosexual and other queer forms of life has been a demand from those affected for many years. At the end of last year, the dioceses decided to change their labor law and thus strengthen the rights of queer employees.