Catholic bishops Saturday backpedaled on what could have been a significant step forward in Vatican efforts to establish a more inclusive approach toward gays and lesbians in the church.
In a setback in Pope Francis‘ aspirations to take a more welcoming stance in ministering Catholic families, the bishops at the end of their two-week meeting of senior clerics removed text released in a draft document earlier this week that struck a conciliatory tone toward homosexuality.
Related: Vatican document on gays draws cautious, mixed response
The revised Vatican draft marked a dramatic shift in how the church would address gay and lesbian Catholics, saying “people with homosexual tendencies must be welcomed with respect and delicacy.” The original version of the document went as far to say that gay people “have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community.” The document also included calls for wider acceptance of divorced and remarried Catholics.









