participating in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist (see AL, notes 336 and 351)." Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter (January 2017) Bishop Steven J. Lopes, head of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, issued guidelines in January 2017 which state, "A civilly remarried couple, if committed to complete continence, could have the Eucharist available to them, after proper discernment with their pastor and making recourse to the sacrament of reconciliation. Such a couple may experience continence as difficult, and they may sometimes fail, in which case they are, like any Christian, to repent, confess their sins, and begin anew." Germany (February 2017) In February 2017, the Episcopal Conference of Germany issued a pastoral letter that concludes that after a decision-making process is carried out with the accompaniment of one's pastor, "in which the consciences of all parties must be highly engaged", a divorced and remarried Catholic can receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Belgium (May 2017) 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." Brazil (August 2017) The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil published guidelines in August 2017 which state, "There are limited cases where the existence of excuses for non-interruption of conjugal coexistence, for example, the existence of children and certain moral circumstances, may attenuate or even annul the moral responsibility and imputability of unlawful acts". The guidelines continue, "The practice of sexual continence for couples in a second union is not excluded. In this case, the confessor may be merciful with eventual falls." Ghana (November 2017) The bishops of Ghana released a communique in November 2017 that states, "In considering a pastoral approach towards people who have contracted a civil marriage, who are divorced and remarried, or simply living together, the Church has the responsibility of helping them understand the divine teaching of grace in their lives and offering them assistance so they can reach the fullness of God’s plan for them, something