A Vatican document says that homosexuals have "gifts and qualities to offer" and asks if Catholicism could accept gays and recognize positive aspects of same-sex couples.
The document, prepared after a week of discussions at an assembly of 200 bishops on the family, says the Church should challenge itself to find "a fraternal space" for homosexuals without compromising Catholic doctrine on family and matrimony.
While the text does not signal any change in the Church's condemnation of homosexual acts or its opposition to gay marriage, it uses language that was less judgmental and more compassionate than past Vatican statements under previous popes.
The document will be the basis for discussion for the second and final week of the assembly, known as a synod, which was called by Pope Francis and focuses on the theme of the family.
It will also serve for further reflection among Catholics around the world ahead of another, definitive synod next year.
Remember last November a Vatican poll asked for parishioners their opinion on same-sex marriage in preparation for a Church' Synod on the family.
The last Catholic Church' Synod on the family was in 1980
Pope Francis clearly wants change and is willing to accept gays and committed gay relationships as long as marriage is off the table. The persecution of gay clergy that Pope Benedict started is something in the past now for the Church. The question is whether the conservative Curia will go along with this. Pope Benedict is reportedly willing to accept married clergy, and welcome divorced people into the Church which will be as revolutionary is he can acceptance for it.
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