Vatican Document: 'Homosexuals Have Gifts To Offer Church'

A Vatican document released to Catholic churches this week regarding the family implores dioceses to take a more positive approach to homosexuality.

While the recent document does not approve of homosexuality, it does encourage churches to include homosexual members as fraternal members of their communities. The document is a product of the two-week meeting between bishops in a Vatican synod regarding the family, contraception, sexuality and divorce.

"Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community," the document says, adding "Are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities?"

"Often they wish to encounter a church that offers them a welcoming home," the letter continued. "Are our communities capable of providing that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?"

Although the Catholic Church did not change its doctrine on homosexuality in the recent letter, some have said the recent move is a "breakthrough" in the Catholic Church.

"This is a stunning change in the way the Catholic Church speaks of gay people," the Rev. James Martin said in a statement, according to The Washington Post. "The synod is clearly listening to the complex, real-life experiences of Catholics around the world and seeking to address them with mercy, as Jesus did."

Some have argued that the Catholic Church has become more opening toward unconventional relationships since Pope Francis took leadership of the Vatican last year.