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Germany’s health minister has criticized the Catholic Church for its refusal to bless same-sex unions but says his religious faith remains strong.

A U.S. District Court judge's Aug. 9 ruling to block the Biden administration's mandate that doctors and hospitals perform gender-transition procedures despite their own moral or medical objections is "a victory for common sense, conscience and sound medicine."

Archbishop Heiner Koch said he would appoint a pastoral minister as a contact person for gays, the Berlin Archdiocese announced.

As Italian lawmakers debate whether to pass a controversial anti-homophobia bill which has met unprecedented criticism from the Vatican, Catholics are divided on the issue, with some saying a new law is desperately needed and others claiming it would only cause more problems.

In the first open debate in the Italian legislature of a controversial anti-homophobia bill following an unprecedented complaint from the Vatican on grounds of religious freedom, the bill survived two significant hurdles in the senate Tuesday and could be voted into law as early as next week.

Spain's bishops have criticized recent government initiatives on issues from euthanasia to LGBT rights.

Britain’s Methodist Church announced Wednesday that same-sex couples will be allowed to get married on its premises.

In response to a burgeoning controversy this week over the Vatican’s novel protest of a draft anti-homophobia law in Italy, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, said Thursday the goal of the move wasn’t to interfere with Italy’s internal politics but rather to head off a potential problem.

Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, has defended a formal complaint made by the Holy See about a proposed anti-homophobia law in Italy, saying the move does not interfere with international politics, but rather raises concerns that could lead to bigger problems if the bill is passed.

In an historic first, the Vatican has invoked its sovereign status under a 1929 treaty with Italy to protest a draft Italian law designed to combat homophobia, objecting that it could restrict the religious freedom guaranteed the church under that accord.

Bishop John Stowe of Lexington offered words of support and a blessing to LGBTQ Catholics alongside other advocates on a Zoom call Monday night, reminding them that “God desires a deep and intimate relationship with each of you.”

The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See announced on Tuesday, June 1, that it was displaying the rainbow LGBT “Pride” flag for the month of June, which is celebrated as LGBT “Pride” month.

Catholics around the world have their eyes on Germany as it works for change through its "Synodal Path," which is debating the issues of power, sexual morality, priestly life and the role of women in the church.

Vicar Wolfgang Rothe, left, blesses the couple Christine Walter, center, and Almut Muenster, right, during a Catholic service with the blessing of same-sex couples in St Benedict's Church in Munich, Sunday, May 9, 2021.

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Biden administration has filed an appeal April 20 of a Jan. 19 federal court's ruling to block an Affordable Care Act provision barring discrimination by health insurers and providers against transgender people.

Two Catholic bishops, six Catholic priests, the lay president of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and two Catholic organizations issued a statement April 1 calling for an end to violence against transgender individuals.