Bishops express unprecedented tolerance in newly released document

Catholic bishops expressed unprecedented tolerance toward homosexuality and divorce in a document released yesterday, a remarkable shift led by Pope Francis that could end the church's rigid stance on these issues.

The new openness to gay unions, though not gay marriage, is considered groundbreaking by supporters and critics alike. It expands on the tolerant tone Francis struck last year when he said, "Who am I to judge?" whether gay and lesbians could be good Christians.

The document, released halfway through the two-week meeting of bishops, mentions the "gifts and qualities" of gay Catholics. Regarding divorced Catholics who remarry outside the Roman Catholic Church, it called on pastors to "avoid any language or behavior that might make them feel discriminated against."

The bishops used unusually conciliatory language to call on pastors to recognize "positive aspects on civil unions and cohabitation," to help a couple eventually commit to a church wedding.

The Vatican and experts stressed that the document itself is not a change in church doctrine, but rather "a starting point for discussion."

The bishops' meeting, or synod, ends Sunday, followed by a year-long debate on the issues it brings up. Msgr. Bruno Forte, the synod's secretary, called the document "a work in progress" that remained subject to change.

Other sensitive topics the bishops may tackle this week include polygamy in some parts of Africa, arranged marriages and the education of children born to mixed-faith couples or children born outside marriage.