Consensus Eludes Vatican Synod

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2014-10-19

Just as it seemed the Roman Catholic Church might ease its stance on homosexuality, bishops from around the world removed language doing just that from a new Vatican document.

The final version of the document was issued Saturday at the close of a two-week assembly, or synod, of 200 Catholic bishops.

An initial version released earlier in the week had spoken of "accepting" gays' sexual orientation and acknowledging that same-sex couples can provide "precious support" to each other. It said gay people have "gifts and qualities" that can benefit the Church.

Conservatives criticized the draft, calling for major revisions, in a sign of division with progressive members of the Church.

In a blow to Pope Francis, the homosexuality paragraph did not even make it into the final document, failing to reach the two-thirds majority needed to pass.

The bishops also failed to approve paragraphs on allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive communion.

source: Voice of America

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