Belgium bishop Johan Bonny has suggested the church acknowledge same-sex couples as they accept heterosexual couples.
According to an interview published in The National Catholic Reporter, Bishop Bonny said, "There should be recognition of a diversity of forms. 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."
When asked if the church will bless same-sex couples, Bishop Bonny said that the church must be opened to acknowledge the equality of gay and lesbian couples and meet the same spiritual marriage. Also he pointed out that everyone has to acknowledge the diversity in relationships.
This is not the first time Bishop Bonny has called out to the church about same-sex relationships. It was last September when he asked the Vatican to connect with the modern world and that it has to show more respect for gay people.
Moreover, in contrast with this statement made by Bishop Bonny, a UK Catholic bishop takes his stand that only a man and a woman should be married.
Bishop Mark Davies sent a pastoral letter, titled "The beautiful virtue of chastity," to churches on December 28, sharing his stand on marriage.
Bishop Davies said that before anyone goes into marriage, chastity is a very important part of it. He said that marriage is a union of a man and a woman.
He was reportedly recalled saying that people should not be tricked into the "Pagan World," yet should accept gay people with 'respect, passion and sensitivity'.