Belgian Catholic Bishop calls for Church recognition of gay relationships.

[pnwmom]

This could only have happened under Pope Francis, who, when questioned about gay people, said: "Who am I to judge?"

http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/belgian-bishop-advocates-church-recognition-gay-relationships

LEUVEN, BELGIUM — Bishop Johan Bonny of Antwerp, Belgium, has called for ecclesiastical recognition of gay relationships, according to an interview published in De Morgen, a Belgian newspaper, on Dec. 27.

The official teaching that the Catholic church can recognize only male-female committed relationships has to change, Bonny said.

"There should be recognition of a diversity of forms," he said. "We have to look inside the church for a formal recognition of the kind of interpersonal relationship that is also present in many gay couples. Just as there are a variety of legal frameworks for partners in civil society, one must arrive at a diversity of forms in the church. … The intrinsic values are more important to me than the institutional question. The Christian ethic is based on lasting relationships where exclusivity, loyalty, and care are central to each other."

SNIP

Professor Rik Torfs, canon law expert and rector of the Catholic University of Leuven, warned that one should not minimize Bonny’s approach.

"Do not underestimate the significance of this,” he said. “Bonny advocates a change from principles long held as unshakable, something no bishop could have done under the dogmatic pontificates of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI."

SNIP

[Bluenorthwest]

1. Well that Bishop is wonderful.

But here is what followed 'who am I to judge' for some context regarding Francis:
"The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this very well. It says one must not marginalize these persons, they must be integrated into society. The problem isn't this [homosexual] orientation – we must be like brothers and sisters. The problem is something else, the problem is lobbying either for this orientation or a political lobby or a Masonic lobby."

And here's the section of the Catechism of which he speaks, which he says explains it well:
""The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition."

So it's an inclination, a condition, it's objectively disordered, a trial and source of difficulties. But who am I to judge....

[pnwmom]

2. That Bishop would not have spoken out under Benedict or John Paul.

Pope Francis has opened the door to these discussions. His words don't satisfy you, but you don't realize what a huge step forward he has taken. The Bishops do.