At the end of October, the German Episcopal Conference (DBK) published an educational guide on the “unconditional acceptance of all sexual orientations and gender identities” in Catholic schools. The document explicitly encourages students to define themselves according to their “sexual identity” and states that the “diversity of sexual identities is a fact”, normalizing self-identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual, or non-binary. Additionally, it urges teachers to use language that reflects that diversity and to present Catholic sexual morality as a “disputed issue”, leaving it to the students' personal judgment.
The initiative represents a new distancing from Catholic doctrine on anthropology and sexual morality. So far, only three bishops have publicly opposed the document: Stefan Oster (Passau), Rudolf Voderholzer (Regensburg), and Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki (Cologne).
Gabriele Kuby denounces the doctrinal drift
In an interview published by The Academy Review, the Catholic sociologist Gabriele Kuby—international reference in the critical analysis of gender ideology—stated that this drift is a direct consequence of the lack of correction from the Vatican towards the German bishops.
According to Kuby, the episcopate that promoted the Synodal Way (2019-2023) has tried to reformulate the Church's moral teaching, introduce liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, and now normalize expressions of sexual identity contrary to Christian anthropology. “The bishops are not fulfilling what they promised in their ordination”, she lamented, accusing them of not safeguarding the faith or protecting families seeking to keep their children faithful to Catholic doctrine.
«They are prisoners of their bureaucracy and the media. To be faithful to Jesus, they must be willing to take up their cross and follow Jesus Christ, no matter what».
The sociologist denounces that Catholic schools are being forced to “adopt the LGBTQ agenda and gender ideology”, leaving families who seek to protect their children helpless:
«Parents must rise up. Their first obligation is to protect their children. They have to show that they are willing to fight, that there will be no silence or compromise».
The main impact of these policies falls on children. She states that the induced identity confusion, family breakdown, and loss of moral references are generating an “abandoned generation”, with rising rates of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness.
Rome's inaction has allowed the ideological agenda to advance
Kuby considers that the Vatican's inaction has allowed the German Synodal Way to advance proposals “radically incompatible” with Christian morality. Although she recognizes that Pope Francis stopped attempts to alter the hierarchical structure of the Church, she laments that he never intervened when the German episcopate began to dismantle the teaching on sexuality and marriage.
«My problem with Pope Francis is that he was ambiguous. He did not support the Synodal Way, but neither did he intervene in the German bishops' LGBTQ agenda».
“I hope that Pope Leo XIV takes this battle into his hands”, she states, pointing out that permissiveness toward these deviations is facilitating their export to other countries.
Gender ideology as a “historical assault” on minors
«The ticket on which the entire sexual/homosexual movement traveled was that LGBTQ people are discriminated against, that they have no human rights, that they are the victims. But who are the true victims of the sexual revolution? In many cases, homosexuals are even privileged. They are in the highest ranks of society, and no one dares to say anything against them because it can cost you your existence, your job, everything, as soon as you open your mouth».
The sociologist points out that the sexual revolution and the normalization of fluid identities have left devastating consequences for young people: depression, affective confusion, and family breakdown. She describes the expansion of transgenderism as a “historical attack on childhood”, driven by NGOs, governments, media, and now certain ecclesial sectors.
She also denounces that psychologically, therapists and educators are forced to “affirm” any self-declaration of identity, even when it involves vulnerable minors. “Mutilating healthy bodies will be remembered as one of the great crimes of our time”, she warns.
A contrast: Islam resists, the Church yields
The sociologist points out that the German State does not dare to impose the same program in Islamic schools because it would encounter immediate resistance. “This should make us ask what our bishops really believe in”, she comments.
«The Government is not imposing the sexual agenda in predominantly Islamic schools because they know they would really have problems with Muslims, who do not hesitate to use violence when something goes against their beliefs».
At the same time, she states that Christians will be the ones who must protect homosexual people from possible violence from Islamic fundamentalism: “We do not want to assume their view on sexuality, but we do want to defend the dignity of every person”.
Signs of hope amid the crisis
Despite the gravity of the situation, Kuby sees reasons for hope. She speaks of a “new discipleship” that is emerging, formed by faithful deeply rooted in prayer, Scripture, and sacramental life. She positively values spiritual renewal movements and the dissemination of serious Catholic formation platforms.
«The great apostasy is happening around us. But Jesus himself said that this must happen before the Second Coming of Christ».