Bishop Johan Bonny of Antwerp was nominated for an annual Campaign Award by the Cavaria group.

The nomination came because Bishop Bonny had written an open letter before last year's extraordinary synod on the family calling for reforms.

Bishop Bonny stated the Church should be more welcoming to homosexuals, cohabiting couples and those who use in-vitro fertilisation.

When he was nominated, the bishop said he could not accept an award for exercising his mission as a pastor.

He asked that his name not be considered, but Çavaria chose him as the winner anyway.

Gay believers could draw strength from his stand, it said, which "is also important for believing parents and grandparents".

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