The Dutch bishops have become the latest conference to collectively reject the new provision by the Vatican for non-liturgical blessings to same-sex couples and those in irregular relationships.

A statement issued by the Bishops’ Conference of the Netherlands stopped short of authorising either blessings or prayers for any couples if they could be construed as approving lifestyles at odds with the moral teaching of the Catholic Church.

Instead, they recommend that prayers are offered solely for individuals in such relationships in order to invoke God’s assistance in discerning His will for the person individually.