428:, which met in Rome in October 2015. In February 2015, discussing the issues facing the synod, he said the church needed a new approach to pastoral care of homosexuals, "a different language", and that to "portray homosexuality as a sin is hurtful". He added: "I know gay couples who value reliability and commitment and live these in an exemplary manner." As the Synod approached, he expressed concern that its focus was shifting from the pastoral concerns it was meant to address to "mega issues such as the understanding of the Eucharist, the issue of church authority and its limits and the question of the definition of marriage". He said "It would have been better to limit the number of topics up for discussion" and "We must not give the impression that the synod spent most of its time quarreling about the conditions for admission to the sacraments." At the synod, the German language discussion group elected him their relator (secretary).
231:
452:) Koch spoke on behalf of the German Bishops Conference: "Those who contribute words or deeds to the exclusion and reduction of refugees and migrants can not base that on Christianity. Human hostility and stranger hatred are not only in clear contradiction to the values of our free-democratic constitution, but ultimately bear witness to a deep disregard for the Christian message." He has at other times called for special attention to the needs of Christian refugees, who are sometimes mistreated as a minority among the refugee population, and for refugees who are homosexual or transgender.
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is not in the first place a question about the indissolubility of the sacrament of marriage.... Many people question the Church and her mercy in this regard. More than a few people concerned leave the Church with their children on the basis of what they see as rejection. Ultimately and most profoundly it is much more about the
Christian faith and God and His mercy. For many, the question of admittance to the Eucharist makes them doubt God.
463:'s vote to legalize same-sex marriage on 30 June 2017. He said "As a Church, we respect same-sex partnerships in which mutual responsibility and care are taken" but he argued for maintaining a distinction between same-sex and different-sex relationships: "differentiation isn't discrimination, and same-sex cohabitation can be valued through other institutional arrangements without opening up the legal institute of marriage".
328:
and completed his examinations in education science. He was ordained a priest of the
Diocese of Cologne on 13 June 1980, his 26th birthday. He held a variety of positions in Cologne and was often involved in youth ministry. While doing parish work he earned a doctorate in theology with a dissertation
435:
Is there no place at the Lord’s table for people who experienced and suffered an irreversible break in their lives? How perfect and holy must one be to be allowed to the supper of the Lord? It becomes clear to me every time that the question of allowing divorced and remarried people to the
Eucharist
393:
In
December 2014, he warned against dismissing the concerns of anti-immigrant demonstrators. He said: "While we remain committed to the basic right of asylum for refugees from war areas and victims of political persecution, we must ask ourselves what drives such a large number of people on to the
466:
Koch asked forgiveness for the church’s discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation. Homophobia was an “unholy line of tradition” in the
Catholic Church, Koch said 17 May during an ecumenical service in the Protestant Twelve Apostles Church.
410:. Following the procedures revived in 1989 following the reunion of Germany, Koch was first elected by the Berlin church and Pope Francis, seeing no objection, made the appointment. Koch was installed in Berlin on 16 March.
873:
431:
He told the Synod that theological arguments against allowing
Catholics in irregular marriages to receive Communion "do not silence the questions in the hearts of people". He said:
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on the significance of liberation in
Christian religious education. Since 1995 he has been president of the Federation of Historic German Shooting Clubs (
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636:
977:
876:[Society must support the most vulnerable] (Press release) (in German). Deutsche Bischofskonferenz. 11 February 2016. Archived from
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337:). Beginning in 2002 he served as Pro-Vicar General and Secretary General for the committee that organized the celebration of
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822:"The German bishops reflect on justice, mercy and love at the Synod on the Family [complete text]"
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streets every Monday and not tar them all with the same brush by a priori labeling them right-wingers."
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505:"Kirchliche Jugendarbeit unter der Grundperspektive der Befreiung des Menschen zum Sein"
325:
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716:"Bishop Heiner Koch, a German delegate to Family Synod, appointed Berlin archbishop"
637:"In face of immigration protests, German bishops say churches must promote dialogue"
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The German language group produced a statement its members endorsed unanimously.
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616:(Press release) (in Italian). Press Office of the Holy See. 18 January 2013
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selected him in 2014 to chair its
Commission for Marriage and the Family.
797:"How the 'shadow council' is trying to influence the Synod on the Family"
685:"German church official says plan for electing bishops follows tradition"
565:(Press release) (in Italian). Press Office of the Holy See. 17 March 2006
849:"German archbishop: Church's stance on divorce makes people 'doubt God'"
308:
since 2015. He was an auxiliary bishop in
Cologne from 2006 to 2013 and
664:(Press release) (in Italian). Press Office of the Holy See. 8 June 2015
455:
Koch, though an advocate for reconciliation between the Church and the
279:
770:"Synod changes: Making less time for speeches, more time for dialogue"
743:"Marx: Streamlining annulments 'sensible' but doesn't solve problems"
460:
372:
as co-consecrators. He chose as his episcopal motto the Latin phrase
324:, West Germany. He studied theology, philosophy and education at the
289:
901:"Charity urges better protection for Christian refugees in Germany"
926:"Erzbischof besucht Zentrum fĂĽr gleichgeschlechtliche FlĂĽchtlinge"
978:"Berlin archbishop asks forgiveness for homophobia in the church"
925:
456:
928:[Archbishop visits center for same-sex refugees].
874:"Gesellschaft muss sich für die Schwächsten einsetzen"
386:
On 18 January 2013, Benedict XVI named him Bishop of
376:, "Rejoice always, the Lord is near", taken from the
335:
Historischer
Deutschen SchĂĽtzenbruderschaften (BHDS)
1090:21st-century Roman Catholic archbishops in Germany
16:German prelate of the Catholic Church (born 1954)
1051:
952:"German bishops 'regret' same-sex marriage vote"
740:
634:
741:Pongratz-Lippitt, Christa (10 September 2015).
585:"Plans Continue for World Youth Day in Germany"
440:In February 2016, joining an alliance with the
360:. He was consecrated a bishop on 7 May 2006 by
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635:Pongratz-Lippitt, Christa (8 January 2015).
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390:, and he was installed there on 16 March.
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444:called the Alliance for Cosmopolitanism (
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795:Gagliarducci, Andrea (12 October 2015).
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509:Katalog der Deutschen Nationalbibliotek
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847:McElwee, Joshua J. (9 October 2015).
958:. Catholic News Service. 1 July 2017
899:Luxmoore, Jonathan (11 March 2016).
13:
683:Luxmoore, Jonathan (9 June 2015).
424:selected him as a delegate to the
14:
1101:
1085:Roman Catholic bishops of Meissen
320:Koch was born on 13 June 1954 in
768:Wooden, Cindy (9 October 2015).
459:community, denounced the German
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217:Rejoice always, the Lord is near
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662:"Rinunce e nomine, 08.06.2015"
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614:"Rinunce e Nomine, 18.01.2003"
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563:"Rinunce e Nomine, 17.03.2006"
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364:, Archbishop of Cologne, with
348:named him auxiliary bishop of
213:Gaudete semper Dominus prope (
1:
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932:(in German). 13 January 2016
534:"Erzbischof Dr. Heiner Koch"
374:Gaudete semper Dominus prope
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105:Auxiliary Bishop of Cologne
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1001:Joachim Friedrich Reinelt
853:National Catholic Reporter
747:National Catholic Reporter
689:National Catholic Reporter
641:National Catholic Reporter
422:German Bishops' Conference
415:German Bishops' Conference
378:Epistle to the Philippians
304:prelate who has served as
1075:University of Bonn alumni
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1008:Bishop of Dresden-Meissen
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450:Allianz fĂĽr Weltoffenheit
442:German Evangelical Church
406:named Koch Archbishop of
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310:Bishop of Dresden-Meissen
300:(born 13 June 1954) is a
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776:. Catholic News Service
749:. Catholic News Service
691:. Catholic News Service
1070:Clergy from DĂĽsseldorf
992:Catholic Church titles
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1080:Archbishops of Berlin
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316:Early life and career
1035:Archbishop of Berlin
1028:Rainer Maria Woelki
1018:Heinrich Timmerevers
801:Catholic News Agency
720:Catholic News Agency
341:in Cologne in 2005.
306:Archbishop of Berlin
426:Synod on the Family
370:Rainer Maria Woelki
312:from 2013 to 2015.
92:Rainer Maria Woelki
344:On 17 March 2006,
326:University of Bonn
204:University of Bonn
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1015:Succeeded by
828:. 15 October 2015
346:Pope Benedict XVI
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270:The Most Reverend
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83:19 September 2015
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880:on 25 March 2016
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147:Personal details
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226:Coat of arms
192:Denomination
177:West Germany
166:13 June 1954
134:Consecration
129:13 June 1980
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1065:1954 births
540:(in German)
511:(in German)
354:titular see
298:Heiner Koch
248:Heiner Koch
184:Nationality
156:Heiner Koch
113:(2013–2015)
107:(2006–2013)
88:Predecessor
75:8 June 2015
62:Archdiocese
29:Heiner Koch
1054:Categories
1012:2013–2015
491:References
322:DĂĽsseldorf
280:Excellency
173:DĂĽsseldorf
162:1954-06-13
137:7 May 2006
126:Ordination
1043:Incumbent
461:Bundestag
352:with the
290:Monsignor
243:Styles of
200:Education
80:Installed
72:Appointed
930:Kath.net
381:Phil 4:4
139:by
905:America
826:America
774:America
358:Ros Cré
350:Cologne
962:3 July
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832:3 July
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446:German
408:Berlin
398:Berlin
331:German
187:German
121:Orders
66:Berlin
52:Church
37:Berlin
589:Zenit
471:Notes
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210:Motto
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