GERMAN CATHOLIC FEMINISTS IMITATE LUTHER’S ‘95 THESES’ ACT

A Catholic reform initiative in Germany dubbed Maria 2.0 took inspiration from Martin Luther on Sunday, February 21, 2021, and nailed its own version of the “95 theses” to the doors of various churches in Munich, Wuerzburg, Augsburg, Cologne, Mainz and Freiburg.

"In our church, all people have access to all offices," read one thesis, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.

The feminist campaign is pushing for equal treatment of men and women in the church. The initiative also protests against sexual abuse and abuse of power, while calling for an end to mandatory celibacy and for a more open approach to sexual morals.

In 1517, Martin Luther's 95 theses forced the Reformation and led to the division of the church into Catholic and Protestant.

"The thing with the church splitting is always a specter cast by critics when dealing with us," Lisa Koetter, co-founder of Maria 2.0, said ahead of the stunt.

She argued that Luther did not in fact divide the church, claiming "you can't split elastic things." Matthias Kopp, spokesman for the German Bishops' Conference, expressed his understanding for the unease felt by many believers.

"We know for that reason that there is a need for negotiations," Kopp said, pointing to the "Synodal Path," a reform process launched by Germany's top Catholic assembly.

WEEKLY FEATURE : BONNER DYTOC SHOWS THE WAY IN STOCK PLAY