German court fines Polish theologian for using derogatory language against gay people

Fr Dariusz Oko image: NW MInistry

Source: New Ways Ministry/ICN

A court in Germany has fined a Catholic theologian in Poland for using derogatory language against gay people in a recent article series, a move that could now have diplomatic implications, New Ways Ministry reports.

The Cologne District Court issued Fr Dariusz Oko a €4,800 fine for "inciting hatred" through his article in the January/February 2021 edition of the German magazine Theologischeson in which he alleged homosexual influence in the Vatican.

Fr Oko went on to publish another article in a similar vein in the same magazine. Following the publication of the first article, Fr Wolfgang Rothe of Munich filed the complaint with the Cologne public prosecutor with the accusation that it has incited hate under Germany's criminal code. Fr Rothe said he rejected the place of such language in society and in the Church.

To read the New Ways article see: www.newwaysministry.org/2021/08/03/court-fines-polish-theologian-for-referring-to-gay-priests-as-cancerous-growth/