Critics charged that the code, which called for respecting the "coming-out" of homosexuals and restricting "sweeping negative assessments" based on sexual orientation, was an attempt to introduce progressive, "LGBT ideology".
A major controversy occurred in August 2022, when a female parish leader appeared to "concelebrate" Mass alongside a priest, a scene that went viral.
In addition to the code of conduct, 2022 saw several instances where Bonnemain was caught between progressive demands and conservative backlash.