the bishops of belgium released guidelines in may 2017 that state, "a process of discernment does not lead to a yes or no automatic power to commune. it can happen that someone decides not to receive the eucharist. we have the greatest respect for such a decision. it is also possible that someone decides in conscience to receive the eucharist. this decision also deserves respect. between laxity and rigorism, pope francis chooses the path of personal discernment and a decision taken carefully and conscientiously."