The bishops in Flanders published Sept. 20 a model liturgy for the celebration of homosexual unions.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith affirmed in March 2021 that the Church hasn’t the power to bless same-sex unions.
Eijk noted that “The Flemish bishops took the remarkable step of allowing the blessing of same-sex couples based on their interpretation of certain passages from Amoris Laetitia,” Pope Francis’ 2016 apostolic exhortation on love in the family.
“Distinguish, accompany, and integrate remain the main keywords of Amoris Laetitia (chapter VIII), according to the Flemish bishops,” the cardinal wrote.
“It goes without saying that people with a homosexual orientation must also be treated with respect and have a right to pastoral care and guidance,” he added.
“By discernment, however, it is meant in Amoris Laetitia that people in an irregular relationship are brought to understand what the truth is about their relationship (AL 300). In short, that they come to understand that their relationship goes against God’s order of creation and is therefore morally unacceptable. Integration means giving people in an irregular relationship – as far as possible – a place in the life of the church. Of course, people in a sexual relationship with a person of the same sex are welcome in church celebrations, even if they cannot receive communion or actively participate in the celebration.”
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