In a dramatic shift in tone, a Vatican document said Oct. 13 that gay people had "gifts and qualities to offer" and asked if Catholicism could accept gays and recognize positive aspects of same-sex couples, Reuters reported.
The document, prepared after a week of discussions at an assembly of 200 bishops on the family, said the Church should challenge itself to find "a fraternal space" for homosexuals without compromising Catholic doctrine on family and matrimony.
The document will be the basis for discussion for the second and final week of the assembly, known as a synod, that Pope Francis called and that focuses on the theme of the family.
New Ways Ministry Executive Director Francis DeBernardo, in a statement, said, "The relatio offers some very hopeful directions in the way that Church leaders should address lesbian and gay people and their families. I hope that local bishops and pastors will respond to the relatio's challenges with new ways of welcome and acceptance."
New Ways Ministry a gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for LGBT Catholics, and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities.