RCC bishops bless same-sex unions in dioceses of Belgium

On September 20, 2022, Cardinal Jozef De Kesel of Mechelen-Brussels and other bishops of the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium published a document titled “Being pastorally close to homosexual persons — For a welcoming Church that excludes no one.” The paper presents a suggested liturgy for same-sex blessings, including prayers, Scripture reading, and parts in which the couple can “express before God how they are committed to one another.” It is reported catholicnewsagency.com.

The Flemish bishops also announced that each diocese would appoint a special minister "to give explicit attention to the situation of homosexual persons, their parents and families in the conduct of policy."

“By doing so, they are going directly against the Vatican,” commented the Nederlands Dagblad newspaper.

In March 2021, the Vatican published an official clarification that the Catholic Church does not have the power to give liturgical blessings of homosexual unions.

As the UOJ wrote, the German bishops of the RCC called on Rome to hear the proponents of LGBT and abortion.

              

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