(ZENIT News / Hildesheim, 09.13.2024).- On September 1, Bishop Heiner Wilmer of the Diocese of Hildesheim, Germany, appointed three pastoral employees as key references for inclusive pastoral care, specifically aimed at the queer community. This initiative seeks not only to accompany the LGBTQ+ community but also to provide parishes and diocesan institutions with tools to face pastoral challenges with a renewed sensitivity to gender and sexual diversity, according to official statements.
The New Pastoral References
The three individuals appointed for this mission are Linda Menniger, a clinical pastor in Hanover; Michael Hasenauer, a university pastor in Lüneburg; and Manuel Ríos Juárez, a pastoral consultant for schools in Hanover. In addition to their regular roles, they will be available to offer support in situations requiring «inclusive pastoral care.» This team will provide guidance in cases as diverse as the baptism of a child from a lesbian couple, blessing ceremonies for transgender individuals celebrating their transition, or supporting families with non-binary children.
The primary goal, as announced by the diocese, is to create a safe and welcoming space within the Church where every individual, regardless of their sexual or gender identity, can find a spiritual home. «As Christians, we want to offer a home to everyone,» says Manuel Ríos Juárez, who identifies as queer and emphasizes the importance of pastoral sensitivity in creating these spaces.
A New Approach to «Inclusive Pastoral Care»
The work of these pastoral references does not start from scratch but continues and expands upon the legacy of Dominican priest Hans-Albert Gunk, who was a key figure in pastoral dialogue with the homosexual community in the diocese for many years. However, this new phase goes further, addressing the complexities of gender diversity and incorporating transgender and intersex individuals into their pastoral care approach.
The initiative also responds to a demand articulated in the 2021 Hildesheim Declaration, «Blessings for this World,» which proclaimed that all people, regardless of their sexual identity, are full members of the Church. This declaration emphasized that God’s blessing is meant for all loving relationships, without exception.
Creating Safe Spaces in the Church
One of the first concrete steps of this mission will be the establishment of «safe spaces» within the Church of Hildesheim, where queer individuals can feel welcomed and supported without fear of discrimination. Additionally, a training program is being developed for diocesan employees, aiming to equip them with the knowledge and sensitivity needed to meet the pastoral needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Linda Menniger, one of the new pastoral references, notes that these spaces must not only be physically safe but also culturally safe. «From greetings to preventing discrimination, creating a culture of respect and support is key,» she says. Menniger adds that queer pastoral care intersects with many issues present in her daily work as a clinical chaplain, especially when accompanying transgender and intersex individuals.
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