Ludger Schepers

Ludger Schepers (born 18 April 1953) is a German prelate of the Catholic Church who has been an auxiliary bishop of Essen since 2008.

He has been resident canon of the chapter of Essen Cathedral since 5 September 2008, with responsibility for church services and pastoral care.

[6] For several years he was the Pastoral Commission's Queer-Beauftragter or Representative to the Queer Community[a] and has taken outspoken positions on the need for the Church to overhaul its views of sexual minority groups.

"[9] In August 2023 he said he was proud that more than 20 dioceses had initiatives for pastoral care for the queer community and called for discussion of sexuality in relationships, not only in marriage.

[12] In addressing his work leading a national effort for gay and lesbians he said: "The German Church could point out that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality in principle.