What experiences do queer people have with the Catholic Church? – Munich

The pressure on the Catholic Church is growing. Not just since the ARD documentary, in which 125 people talked about their queer lives and thus had their coming out. There are more and more initiatives that work for equal rights for queer people in the Catholic Church. For example, the QueerGemeinde München, which celebrates queer church services in Munich once a month. Or OutInChurch, which fights against discrimination and exclusion. But what experiences do queer people have with the Catholic Church? Tell four of them.

“Binding a profession or vocation to abstinence is quite dangerous”

Peter Priller, 61, Old Catholic priest and advisor at “Rosa Alter”, Munich Aidshilfe’s counseling center for LGBTIQ seniors

“Christianity has always been important to me in life and it still is to this day. I wanted to be a priest and a pastor in order to live out spirituality and offer it to others. At the age of 30 I was ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. Of course I did I thought about celibacy before that, but I told myself at the time: “Somehow you’ll manage to live the way the church wants you to. I was aware that I’m gay. But I didn’t expect that I would fall in love so fast and hard

Living a lifetime of lies and secrecy was not an option for Peter Priller. That’s why he decided to come out as a chaplain.

(Photo: Manfred Neubauer)

When I met Sepp I was a chaplain in Bad Tölz. At first we kept the relationship a secret. It’s never immediately clear whether love will last. Living in lies and secrecy all my life was not an option for me. After three years I went to Kardinal Wetter and came out. Secretly I had hoped that I could continue as a chaplain. I would have agreed with another function as well. But there was absolutely nothing. That’s why I quickly converted to the Old Catholics.

I have been a volunteer priest there since 1996 and can live as I would have liked to have lived in the Roman Catholic Church. I was with Sepp for 17 years until he died. I don’t think the church should condemn what two people freely choose to do together. It is much more important to be open and honest and not to fool anyone.

I’ve been working as a social worker since 1996, at the Munich Aidshilfe since 2010. I advise gay seniors there. Anyone in their 80s is usually familiar with the pressure exerted on homosexuals from outside. Sometimes men come to me who still haven’t accepted who they are. Church and society have done a great job there, I think to myself. Young queer people usually have it easier these days. We first had to free ourselves from the idea of ​​doing something bad. If someone is in conflict: job or relationship, then I ask: What is stronger in you? What will you do in the long run? Sexuality is an immensely strong human drive. To bind a profession or a vocation – and that is often the case in church office – to abstinence is quite dangerous.”

“I’m trying to make a difference in the church myself”

Cosima Taufenbach, 16 years old, Stepdaughter of Katrin Richthofer, Maria 2.0 Munich:

“Church has always been an integral part of my life. No matter what was going on at home – chaos and the separation of my parents – the church, the community, was always there. I’ve been an altar boy for years. 2020, during lockdown, I had a lot of time to think. That’s when I realized that I’m queer. It was probably always clear to me subconsciously. In the first few months, it really bothered me: I know that the church isn’t up to date. That homosexuals aren’t welcome are. And that I can never get married in the church. I was faced with the decision at the time whether I should start my training as a senior altar boy. I’ve been thinking and decided that I’m just for my do church. for my Local community.

Field reports: Cosima Taufenbach is queer and senior altar boy.

Cosima Taufenbach is queer and senior altar boy.

(Photo: private)

I don’t think everyone in the community knows I’m queer yet. I told my friends among the altar boys. It wasn’t such a spectacle. I just said I like women. I haven’t spoken to our pastor. Some bishops might think that every queer person should confess. Just like anyone who has sex before marriage would have to go to confession. I find that utopian. They didn’t have time for so many confessions.

I find it understandable that so many people are now leaving. I’m also very angry about what the church allows itself: abuse, sexism, I’m fed up. You have to be able to reconcile being in the church when it’s such nonsense. But I’m trying to make a difference in the church myself.”

“For me a world collapsed”

Henry Frömmichen, 22, was released from the seminary of St. John the Baptist:

“Even as a child I really wanted to become a priest. When I entered the seminary in Munich, I even ended my relationship with my partner at the time. It was clear that that wasn’t possible. After three months in the seminary I then met the then-Prince Charming and posted a photo with him on Instagram, which resulted in me being released from seminary.

Field reports: Henry Frömmichen wanted to become a priest.  He left the church a few days ago.

Henry Frömmichen wanted to be a priest. He left the church a few days ago.

(Photo: private)

A world collapsed for me back then, I was extremely angry and disappointed. By the way, I’m still waiting for an apology or at least a statement on my dismissal. The other dealings with queer people and the events surrounding the abuse report have made me want to have nothing more to do with this mendacious institution. I find all of this outrageous, which is why I left the church a few days ago. There were unforgivable mistakes made.”

“My God is greater than my church”

Lisa Müller, 36, works as a pastor and is afraid of professional consequences:

“Leaving the church is out of the question for me. I love my job as a pastor and can’t imagine changing my job or even giving it up. I feel called by God to my work, and I don’t want the field to last forever I don’t think it matters whether I’m male, female, or diverse, whether I’m gay, bi, trans, or straight, that doesn’t count as a measure of whether I can marry or work for the church.

Testimonials: Lisa Müller doesn't hide her sexuality, but she doesn't carry it around in everyday life either.

Lisa Müller doesn’t hide her sexuality, but she doesn’t carry it around in everyday life either.

(Photo: private)

I didn’t realize my attraction to women until I was 28, when I was already working for the church. Today, I don’t hide my sexuality, but I also don’t show it off in everyday life. It is part of my identity and is just as much a part of me as my womanhood. But it’s always in the back of my mind: Who do I tell that I need a woman by my side and who doesn’t? I often think about that. And all this out of fear of professional consequences – even if I’ve never experienced any myself. What counts for me: I feel loved by God just the way I am. And thank God my God is bigger than my church.”

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