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        Catholic Bishops Fail to Approve More Welcoming Approach to Gays

   by VOA News

   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.

   Some information for this report comes from AP, AFP and Reuters.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/catholic-church-bishops-gay-vatican/2
   488442.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/catholic-church-bishops-gay-vatican/2488442.html