In the immediate post Vatican II period, many churches throughout Europe took advantage of the prevailing confusion by adopting illicit practises and telling the faithful that this was the new law of the land.
This was the case with Communion in the hand, which was brought in by bishops in Belgium and Netherlands without permission, reported in the press as the conciliar decree and now history repeats itself.
Belgian bishops are now taking advantage of Synodal confusion by introducing plans to bless same sex unions.
In a direct challenge to Pope Francis, who said that God does not Bless Sin, the bishops have penned a document which states their intention to conduct a prayer ritual which will ‘bless’ such unions.
Back in March 2021, the bishops lashed out at Pope Francis calling it a ‘shame’ that they were not allowed to bless such unions.
The document released today writes:
For years, the Catholic faith community of our country, in all its sections, together with other social actors to create a climate of respect, recognition and integration. Many of them, moreover, are committed in an ecclesiastical context or a Christian institution. The bishops encourage their collaborators to follow this path continue to follow this path. In doing so, they feel supported by the apostolic exhortation 'AmorisLaetitia', which Pope Francis wrote after the 2015 Synod of Bishops. Distinguish, accompany and integrate: these remain the key words.
With these words, on 17 March 2021, we, the bishops of our country, published a communiqué on pastoral dealings with homosexual persons and couples. In Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis explicitly states that every human being, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be respected in his dignity and treated with respect (AL 250). We want to continue on this path by giving this pastoral a more structural character.
Pastoral care and guidance
The pastoral attention of the church community concerns first and foremost the homosexual persons themselves. Along the sometimes complex path of acknowledging, accepting and live positively, we want to remain close to them. Some remain celibate. They deserve our appreciation and support. Others prefer to live as a couple, in lasting and faithful union with a partner. They too deserve our appreciation and support. Because this relationship too, although not a church marriage, can be a source of peace and shared happiness for those involved. Their family and relatives equally deserve this pastoral attention and guidance. An attitude of understanding and appreciation is of great importance. Pope Francis explicitly asks these families to offer respectful pastoral guidance so that their members who exhibit a homosexual orientation can enjoy the necessary support to understand and fully fulfil the will of God in their lives (AL 250).
Our focus should also be on the wider society and church community. Notwithstanding a growing social recognition of the homosexual fellow man, many remain with questions. At the same time, homophobic violence can raise its head. A better understanding can promote better integration.
Structural anchoring
The Flemish bishops want to structurally anchor their pastoral commitment to homosexual persons and couples on a structural basis. The policy team of the Interdiocesan Service for Family Pastoral Care (IDGP) will have an additional staff member to take this to heart. The bishops have appointed Willy Bombeek for this purpose. In addition, each diocese will appoint someone to look after the same pastoral focus in the context of diocesan family ministry. He or she will be the point of contact for that diocese. As interdiocesan coordinator, Willy Bombeek will work with them and provide them with the necessary training and guidance.
Pastoral of encounter
This pastoral focuses on encounter and conversation. Even believers who are in a stable homosexual relationship, desire respect and appreciation. It hurts when they feel they do not belong or are or excluded. They want to be heard and recognised. That is what this pastoral approach: their story from uncertainty to growing clarity and acceptance; their questions regarding church positions; their joy of knowing a permanent partner; their choice of an exclusive and lasting relationship; their firm desire to take responsibility to take responsibility for each other and their desire to be of service in church and society. In this pastoral approach, there is room for spiritual discernment, for inner growth and for conscientious decisions. Pope Francis calls for people's conscientious judgment to be people to be valued and supported, even in life situations that the objective ideal of marriage do not fully live up to it: Conscience can earnestly and honestly recognise this which is now the noble answer one can give to God, and it can recognise with some certainty that this answer is the self-giving that God demands amid the complexity of concrete limitations, even if the full objective ideal is not achieved
(AL 303).
For homosexual persons or couples an important link to integration in the community of faith. About that integration, Pope Francis writes: The important thing is to integrate everyone, to help everyone help everyone find their own way of being part of the Church community, so that they would be personally touched by the 'undeserved, unconditional and gratuitous' mercy. No one should be condemned forever, because that is not the mindset of the Gospel! I address myself not only to divorced people and people in a new relationship, but to all, in whatever situation they find themselves (AL 297).
Prayer for love and faithfulness
During pastoral meetings, people often ask for a moment of prayer to ask God that He may bless and perpetuate this commitment of love and fidelity. What concrete content and form that prayer can take is best discussed by those involved with a pastoral leader. Such a moment of prayer can take place in all simplicity.Also, the difference should remain clear with what the Church understands by a sacramental marriage.
For example, this moment of prayer could proceed as follows.
o Opening word
o Opening prayer
o Scripture reading
o Engagement of the two people involved.
Together they express before God how they towards each other. For example:God of love and faithfulness, today we stand before You surrounded by family and friends.We thank You that we could find each other.We want to be there for each other in all circumstances of life.We confidently express here that we want to work on each other's happiness day by day. We pray: give us strength to be faithful to each other and deepen our commitment. In your nearness we trust, from your Word we want to live, given to each other for good.
Prayer of the community.
The community prays that God's grace may work be active in them to care for each other and for the wider community in which they live. For example: God and Father, we surround N. and N. today with our prayer. You know their hearts and the path they will take together from now on. Make their commitment to each other strong and faithful. Let their home be filled with understanding, tolerance and care. Let there be room for reconciliation and peace. Let the love they share delight them and make them of service in our community. Give us the strength to walk with them, together in the footsteps of your Son and strengthened by your Spirit.
o Intercessory prayer
o Our Father
o Final prayer
o Benediction
Brussels, 20 September 2022
The Flemish Bishops
The sexually charged document quotes Pope Francis’s Amoris Laetitia to justify their proposed changes.
Will the church repeat the mistakes of the post Vatican II period by allowing extremists to tell the church what to do, or will we see the Vatican showing some authority towards rogue and schismatic bishops who think that they are in charge of the Universal Church?
