Bishops publish new policy on gays

Catholic bishops signalled a radical shift in tone over accepting gays into the church, saying they had gifts to offer and their partnerships, while morally problematic, provided homosexual couples with "precious" support. In a preliminary report, released during a Vatican meeting on family life called by Pope Francis, the bishops, including Gozo bishop Mario Grech, also said the church must welcome divorcees and recognise the "positive" aspects of civil marriages and even Catholics who cohabitate. While it does not change church doctrine, the tone of the report on a host of controversial family issues such as marriage, divorce, homosexuality and birth control was one of almost-revolutionary acceptance and understanding rather than condemnation. It will guide a closed-door debate until a final document is issued on Saturday. Gay rights groups hailed what they called a "seismic shift" in the church's attitude toward gays. "For the LGBT Catholics in the United States and around the world, this new document is a light in the darkness - a dramatic new tone from a church hierarchy that has long denied the very existence of committed and loving gay and lesbian partnerships," said Chad...