Franz-Josef Overbeck

Overbeck studied Roman Catholic theology and philosophy at University of Münster and at Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum in Rome. On October 10, 1989 Overbeck became priest. Since 2009 Overbeck is bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Essen.[1] Since 2011 Overbeck is bishop of Military Ordinariate of Germany.

In 2019, Overbeck said, there should be reforms in Roman Catholic sexual ethics and that same-sex marriages should be accepted and not be described as immoral.[2][3]

In October 2019, Overbeck said that many Catholics do not understand why women cannot be Roman Catholic deacons or priests. He also stated that the ordination of women in the Catholic Church should be allowed.[4]

In December 2019, Overbeck said there should be exceptions from clerical celibacy in the Catholic Church,[5] but did not mention that a number of Catholic churches do not have a requirement of celibate clergy, merely Latin rite clergy.[6]

• 2018: Einstehen für unsere Demokratie – Cologne : J.P. Bachem Medien
• 2017: Freude und Hoffnung, Ostfildern : Matthias Grünewald Verlag

• Media related to Franz Josef Overbeck at Wikimedia Commons
• Literature by and about Franz-Josef Overbeck in the German National Library catalogue
• Franz-Josef Overbeck on website of Bistum Essen
• Franz-Josef Overbeck on website of Katholische Militärseelsorge (bundeswehr.de)
• Dossier über Franz-Josef Overbeck on website of Bistum Münster
• Position by Franz-Josef Overbeck
• Simone Meyer (February 24, 2012). ""Wir dürfen Afghanistan nicht sich selbst überlassen"". Die Welt. Retrieved February 24, 2012. interview with Overbeck over war in Afghanistan