Overview
- Pastor Lena Müller said she conducted a symbolic blessing for four men during an EKBO pop-up wedding event in Berlin and later shared images and video on Instagram.
- EKBO and Bishop Christian Stäblein publicly distanced the church from any ceremony presented as a wedding for more than two people, stating it was not a church marriage.
- Müller said the rite could not be entered in the church book because a prior civil marriage is required, which is not possible in this configuration under German law.
- Coverage noted that polyamorous relationships are legal in Germany, but multi-person marriages are barred, with polygamy prohibited under Paragraph 1306 of the Civil Code.
- Müller defended the blessing as pastoral care and reported no internal disciplinary action, while the episode has fed discussion of queer-inclusive practices within the church.