Catholic Churches Bless Same-Sex Couples In Nationwide Event

COLOGNE, GERMANY - MAY 10: Chantal Hoeffer and Ivonne Fuchs hug each other, after Brigitte Schmidt, a pastoral worker blesses the same-sex couple, at the Catholic St. Johannes XXIII church on May 10, 2021 in Cologne, Germany. Catholic churches across Germany, in an initiative dubbed #liebegewinnt (love wins), have been blessing couples of all sexual orientations since yesterday in open defiance of Catholic Church practice as dictated by Rome. The Catholic Church in Germany is currently going through a tumultuous phase that includes a high number of followers leaving the Church due to what many say are insufficient consequences from wide-scale sexual abuse by priests as well as far-reaching calls for reform for greater inclusion of women and recognition of gay marriage. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)