Denver Newsroom, Sep 30, 2022 / 02:00 am (CNA).
The Archbishop of Utrecht has urged that the Flemish bishops be asked to withdraw their statement introducing blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples, saying the practice undermines Church teaching.
“If gay couples in monogamous, lasting sexual relationships can receive a blessing, should not the same be possible in the monogamous, lasting sexual relationships of a man and a woman living together without being married? Allowing the blessing of gay couples carries the great risk of devaluing blessings and undermining the Church’s teaching on the morality of marriage and sexual ethics,” Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht wrote Sept. 27 in The New Daily Compass.
“The statement of the Flemish bishops, in which they allow the blessing of same-sex couples and even provide a liturgical model for it, meets with inherent ethical objections, radically contradicts a recent ruling by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and carries the risk that it may lead Catholics to views on the morality of same-sex relationships that are contrary to Church teaching,” the cardinal stated.
“Catholics who accept the Church’s teaching, including on sexual morality, therefore fervently hope that the Flemish bishops will soon be asked by ecclesiastically competent circles to withdraw their statement and that the latter will comply.”
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.”
Discussing inherent objections to same-sex blessings, Eijk first noted that sacramentals, which blessings are, are analogous to sacraments: “The declaration prayer in which same-sex couples commit to each other shows an unequivocal analogy with the ‘I do’ that a man and a woman say to each other during the marriage ceremony.”
A blessing, he added, supposes not only a good intention in the recipient, but also that what is blessed corresponds “to God’s order of creation.”
“God created marriage as a total and mutual gift of man and woman to each other, culminating in procreation,” he taught. “Sexual relations between persons of the same sex cannot in themselves lead to procreation. They cannot therefore be an authentic expression at the bodily level of the total mutual self-giving of man and woman, which marriage is essentially. Situations that are objectively wrong from a moral point of view cannot be blessed. God’s grace does not shine on the path of sin. One cannot cultivate spiritual fruit by blessing relationships that go against God’s order of creation … it is not morally permissible to bless the homosexual relationship as such.”
Eijk noted that “In the community’s prayer on the occasion of the blessing of gay couples, the Flemish bishops said that the community prays ‘for God’s grace to work’ in the gay couple to enable them to care for each other and the community they live in. However, we cannot pray for God’s grace to work in a relationship that does not conform to his order of creation.”
“The wording of the community prayer in [the Flemish bishops’] liturgical model for the blessing of gay couples suggests that same-sex relationships can be morally justified,” he wrote.
“Indeed, at the end, the community prays: “Give us the strength to walk with them, together in the footsteps of your Son and strengthened by the Spirit”. Do same-sex people in their same-sex relationship follow in the footsteps of Christ? So do the Flemish bishops really believe that same-sex couples in their same-sex relationship follow in the footsteps of Christ? In the sample prayer, the gay couple says: “By your Word we want to live.” But the Word of God contained in Scripture unequivocally and undeniably qualifies homosexual relationships as a sin.”
The cardinal affirmed that “at the very least, in the formulation of model prayers for the gay couple and the community, there is a risk that the average Catholic … will be led astray and begin to think that lasting, monogamous same-sex sexual relationships are morally acceptable.”
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A faithful and good shepherd.
Thank you, Jesus, Son of Man, for these good shepherds like Cardinal Archbishop Eijk.
Cardinal Eijk, a bright star among the pallid. Former MD knowledgeable and faithful is up against the flowing tide of heresy. Whether we may fault His Holiness, the good or evil intentions and judgment belong to God. Notwithstanding this truth, we must decide whether he’s responsible for the affliction of the Church if we can at all convince him to change course.
Francis may well consider his policy of accommodation necessary for the benefit of a Church unable to reach the disenfranchised. Seemingly, to draw in [as a first step as said in Amoris] and convert. Yet, there is no viable evidence of appeal to conversion to what Eijk rightly asserts is Christ’s revealed doctrine. He’s correct. We can’t change that unique revelation and similarly claim discipleship. Our obligation is to hold fast, to convince the Holy Father by faith and reason, to guide the misled away from damnation.
On Pope Francis’ “accommodation [as possibly] necessary for the benefit of a Church unable to reach the disenfranchised,” this approach deserves more thought than yours truly has given from out here in the back bleachers.
And, yet, one might think about such an approach alongside the “provisional agreement” with China, and alongside the provisional posture with Islam (the “pluralism” of religions, under the ambiguous wording of the Abu Dhabi Declaration)…so now a provisional agreement (?) with the LGBTQ lobby?
One might think, too, about the possibly relevant gospel passage: “And whoever shall not receive you or hear your words, shake off the dust of your feet when you depart from that house, or that city” (Mt 10:14, also Luke 9:5). And depart to another house or city? What to do and how to do it, today, in a very round and compact world—now almost condensed into only one house or city?
So, one might think about the ressourcement (Vatican II !) wisdom of St. Augustine: “we can say things differently, but we can’t say different things.”
Cardinal Eijk was openly protested by homosexuals when he was appointed bishop of Groningen in 1999–a sure sign that the cardinal is well-qualified in our time to serve as a Successor of the Apostles.
Doctrinal and pastoral clarity is not in favor these days, such has his clarification that the Church does not condemn any one, nor would he, but that “the Catholic Church has an ethical vision that is not always understood in today’s culture.”
In a speech in 2018 Eijk remarked: “Some [even] tried to intimidate me in such a way as to try to get me to renounce my appointment as bishop.” Instead, his motto is Noli Recusare Laborem, or as he translates: “do not refuse the work or suffering and endeavors associated with the proclamation of the Christian faith according to the teachings of the Church in [not of!] our time.” Steadfastness across the board…
(Source: Edward Pentin, editor, “The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates,” Sophia Institute Press, 2020, pp. 137-170).
“Monogamous, lasting sexual relationships”?????? I dare say that all except the most transactional sexual relationships begin with the couple, straight or gay, feeling they are “in love”. With the expectation that the relationship will remain long lasting.Reality, however is quite different. Sadly in some cases, the unspoken truth is often” I will love you until someone better comes along”. In the US we have a roughly 50% divorce rate. With gay relationships lasting much shorter term.If the church were to start “blessing” non-marital relationships which are known to be ephemeral, what does that say about the theology of the sacredness of sexual union to which the church has previously held? Is it then ok for “monogamous” 14 year olds to have sex and be blessed as well? Unlike the Muslims, the Church does not advocate for the death of gay people, but urges compassion. Neither does it seek to normalize and approve their acts. Nor should it now switch gears and pretend to do so.The liberal and amoral attitudes of the secular world have seeped far too deeply into the church and the results have been horrifying. Being “nice” should never trump church teaching on morality.
Two people of the same gender are not eligible for marriage in the Catholic church but yes, traditionally 14 year olds were. I had a great grandmother married at 14 and another ancestor married at 12. I knew a young girl in the late 1970s /early 1980’s who found herself in a family way at 13 and she and the father of her child were married with their parents and a judges permission.
I’m pretty most of us have similar family histories if we go back enough generations.
I too had a great great grandmother who married at 14. Mid 1800’s when not many other humans lived in the area. It still doesn’t make it ok. Its creepy. While people matured earlier generations ago, todays 14 year olds are hardly well informed enough on any level to make cataclysmic personal decisions. In point of fact that is why most states have laws prohibiting the marriage of underage teens. WE already have schools trying to help “trans” underage children while expressly keeping this hidden from the parents.Its wrong and disgusting, and its governmental interference in family life. . The school doesnt have to live with the aftermath of such decisions, which often is suicide on the part of the trans child. The church needs to speak out more strongly about these issues no matter whose touchy feelings are hurt. And parents need to speak out as well.
Good morning!
From what I’ve read it’s supposed that the Blessed Mother would have been betrothed to St.Joseph around the age of 14. 12 to 16 was not an uncommon age for girls to marry going back in history. The part of the South I live in saw that right through the first part of the 1900s.
I don’t think biologically speaking young people matured earlier back then but they surely were more mature and responsible in other ways.
I actually think it’s a shame that there are interests trying to change our state laws that allow young, underage couples to be legally married in the case of a pregnancy. Our state permitted that only with both the consent of a judge and the teens’ parents so the child could be born legitimate and live in a home with 2 married parents.
I find the same forces opposing underage marriages are generally just fine with underage fornication, feticide and “transgender” mutilations. The old fashioned concept of marriage to give a child a name and legally wed parents is abhorrent to them but teenagers the same age experimenting with deviant sex and cutting off body parts is perfectly ok and encouraged….
🙁
I certainly don’t propose underage teens marrying as a rule but it does seem a humane exception in the case of underage parents who with their families support, want to do the right thing for their child. Even though that concept seems hopelessly dated in our current culture.
Many things were acceptable a thousand or two years ago which are completely unacceptable today. I am unaware of anything beside pure speculation which would define the age of the Blessed Mother when engaged to Joseph. Nothing in the bible tells us that, and there is a world of difference in the maturity of a 14 year old compared to a 17 year old. Child brides in the muslim world of today have been roundly condemned by the West, as well they should be. Fourteen year olds are CHILDREN, not adults, and cannot legally make an informed decision or give consent. I dont know what makes you say that those opposed to underage marriage are ok with abortion and transgender stuff. I am most certainly NOT ok with any of that. I think it possible to have the parents of an unfortunately pregnant 14 year old to help her financially and allow her to continue to live at home with their emotional support. Forcing her at that young age into a marriage statistically doomed to fail will help solve nothing.
A faithful and articulate Dutch-speaking bishop. Thank you, sir.
Cardinal Eijk is a good and faithful shepherd of the Church. He speaks God’s truth. Wake up mankind for your redemption draws near! Look at the sign of the times all over the world. Repent and convert!
Luke 16:16 The Law.
The law and the prophets were in force until John. From his time on, the good news of God’s kingdom has been proclaimed, and people of every sort are forcing their way in. It is easier for the heavens and the earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a letter of the law to pass.
The evil, God Authorized Church Leaders, the Pharisees, of Jesus’ Day, manipulated God’s Laws given through Moses, to fit their own desire to be exalted as God’s chosen in possession of heaven. By the end of Jesus’ Parable of the ‘The Pharisee and the tax collector’, it is the humble tax collector, seeking to love God with all his heart, strength, mind and soul through obedience to God’s Commandments and Laws, even though he fails to do so, who is justified, and not the evil Pharisee Church Leaders, “But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted”.
Evil Catholic Leaders of today, who try to change God’s Law, in order to erroneously ‘obey God’s Laws’, does not get unrepentant sinners past God’s Laws and into heaven. Humbly coming to Jesus, through His Church, with a heart filled with repentance and the desire to love God through obedience to God’s Laws, even in a weak state of continued sinfulness, can get you into heaven, according to Jesus.
Bishop Eijk, is correct.
“The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith affirmed in March 2021 that the Church hasn’t the power to bless same-sex unions.”
“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.”
Luke 18:9 The Pharisee and the tax collector.
He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity–greedy, dishonest, adulterous–or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
I met a man who was in spiritual hopelessness. As a child, he had been raped and molested by a, same sex attraction, adult. The man felt that it was this childhood event, which caused him to become, same sex attracted. The man lamented greatly his inability to be attracted to the opposite sex, as he felt God willed him to be. The man felt hopelessly beyond redemption.
I told the man to go to Jesus, through Jesus’ representative on earth, a Catholic Priest, in Jesus’ Sacrament of Reconciliation, and tell Jesus your situation. All hope is not lost when it comes to Jesus.