Belgian bishop claims hundreds of people in his diocese have left the Church over CDF refusal to bless gay unions

LifeSite News ^ | May 6, 2021 | Jeanne Smits

[ebb tide]

Bishop Johan Bonny of Antwerp stated at the end of April that 700 people of his diocese have left the Catholic Church in protest against the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s (CDF) recent Responsum making clear that same-sex unions cannot be blessed in any way. 

Bonny added that some 2,000 more have cancelled their baptismal registrations – as if the permanent character of Baptism could be erased. Bonny himself has slammed the recent CDF statement as a “hurtful and incomprehensible” decision, and said that he felt “vicarious shame” over the exclusion of LGBT couples.

[ebb tide]

Ping

[Mr. K]

...Bye.

[grey_whiskers]

19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

1 John 2:19 seems to apply.

[Jolla]

So they somewhat become Episcopalians?

[circlecity]

I believe Jesus referred to this as separating the wheat from the tares.

[FreedomVsControl]

People are leaving in part because they weren’t taught their own religion properly. For too long, priests have avoided the uncomfortable topics of abortion, adultery, homosexuality for fear of scaring parishoners away. All it did was allow people to think they could have secular opinions on these things and still be good catholics, good christians.

[G Larry]

In John 6, Christ had many leave because they refused to believe His teaching.

He didn't chase them down or try to negotiate with them.

[budj]

Will you be true to the teachings of Christ?

[Spok]

It’s not the purpose of a church to fill its pews. God’s laws aren’t subject to revision by consensus. That’s when I will left the church.

[circlecity]

Excellent point.

[Bigg Red]

Well, they should leave the Church if they do not believe in following its precepts. Idiots!

[silverleaf]

Is this supposed to be bad news?

[Bigg Red]

PS: Belgian bishop is lying about “hundreds”, I am sure.

[Paperpusher]

Some doctrines in God’s Word are open for debate, This is not one of them. The Bible, God’s Word, is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman and a man shall not lay with a man or a woman with a woman.

[libertylover]

So, this diocese inched back closer to being Catholic again.

[PGR88]

Its a fake statement. People so concerned about “gay marriage” are not Catholic anyway - and they definitely do NOT go to Church.

[redgolum]

And this, while I am a LCMS Lutheran, is why I pray for faithful Catholics.

[Petrosius]

News to Bishop Bonny: Those who reject church teaching on sodomy have already left the Church; it is called heresy. The truth is that people have been leaving the Church for years because they have not been presented with the fullness of Church teaching, all in the name of Vatican II. And while the wording of the Catechism can change, Church teaching cannot. Do you want people to return and remain? Then start teaching them the true faith again. Give them a reason to remain.

[Petrosius]

Thank you.