The diversity of gender identities and sexual orientations remains a challenge for the Church. Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers nevertheless hopes for changes in Church doctrine. The “gender issue” is not an ideology.
In view of the diversity of gender identities and sexual orientations, Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers sees a need for a review of the official Church positions on these issues. “This requires a new way of thinking, which is expressed in Church doctrine and the Catechism of the Catholic Church,” Timmerevers said in an interview in the new edition of the “Herder Thema” series, entitled “Visibly Recognized: Diversity of Sexual Identities.”
Timmerevers continued that he personally remains unsure about many gender issues. However, a renowned scholar explained to him how sexual orientation comes about: “There is a certain age – he spoke of 13 to 16 – where an orientation is essentially fixed. And you can’t change it. It’s just the way it is, a fact.” He wondered under what circumstances the Church could speak of grave sin here – “if at all,” said Timmerevers.
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