Leo XIV Appoints German Bishop Who Supports "Blessings" for Homosex Couples
Leo XIV again chose a canon lawyer. A native of Karlsruhe, he originally studied law at Heidelberg University before entering the seminary. He holds two doctorates - one in both civil and canon law (doctor iuris utriusque) and another in theology.
He also served as rector of Freiburg's seminary.
At 48, he was the youngest bishop in Germany when he was ordained auxiliary bishop of Freiburg in 2019. At 55, he now becomes the youngest diocesan bishop in Germany.
Part of the "Rainbow" Faction Among Bishops
In September 2022, Monsignor Würtz voted "yes" at the German Synodal Way for the controversial document on the Doctrinal Reassessment of Homosexuality. The document argued that homosexual orientation is "not self-chosen and ... cannot be changed," and that homosexual Catholics should be accepted without reservation.
He also voted yes for the document "Dealing with Gender Diversity." It asked bishops to ensure that transgender and intersex people could live in the Church "without hostility and without discrimination." The document encouraged dioceses to revise practical matters such as church registers and pastoral procedures so they could accommodate "gender diversity".
Six months later, in March 2023, he also voted in favor of the document "Blessing Ceremonies for Couples Who Love Each Other," which proposed the official introduction of blessing ceremonies for homosexual and remarried divorced couples.
Openness towards Protesting Feminists
At his episcopal consecration in Freiburg in 2019, Monsignor Würtz was met by a protest from the anti-Catholic movement “Maria 2.0”. They didn’t oppose him personally but the Church's all-male priesthood and episcopate.
Monsignor Würtz walked over to greet them after the consecration. According to both the Archdiocese of Freiburg and Maria 2.0, he spoke with the protesters, blessed them, handed them a personal letter, and presented them with a red ball of yarn as a symbolic "thread of dialogue" (pictured above).
The gesture drew praise from anti-Catadvocates for its openness.
Women’s Application to Seminary “Good Sign of Commitment”
In May 2025, nine female theology students submitted applications to Freiburg's seminary in a symbolic protest against the Church's reservation of priestly ordination to men.
As rector of the seminary, Bishop Würtz described the applications as "a good sign of the commitment and seriousness with which these women are engaging with their vocation and their path in the Church."
He added that he could not offer them admission because of the "universal law" of the Church.
Monsignor Würtz met with the students shortly afterward for a personal exchange. Afterward, he described it as "very respectful and honest," and both sides indicated the exchange had been worthwhile (pictured below).
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