The Vatican recently released Monday a preliminary report on homosexuality stating that gays, although with problematic relationships, have gifts to offer the Catholic Church.

The report presented a radical shift in Catholic bishops' view and declared gay members of the church have "gifts and qualities" to offer.

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Over 200 prelates joined together in the Synod of Bishops that began October 5 after Pope Francis decided to review Catholic teachings on family values. The Pope urged members of the clergy to "frankly" talk about Catholic Church taboos such as abortion, divorce, sex, contraception and same-sex marriage.

Following Pope Francis' advice to focus on the positive instead of the negative aspects of human sexuality, bishops clearly considered opening their hearts and minds to the LBGT community.

As the synod enters its second week, several bishops who authored the report have expressed their thoughts about how homosexual relationships provide "precious" support for their partners.

Though it does not change the Church's long-standing stance on the morality of same-sex marriage, several LGBT rights groups lauded it as a major breakthrough for their sector.

"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," Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin told the Associated Press.

On the other hand, several conservatives feel that they have been betrayed and refused to accept the report with arch-conservative commentator Michael Voris describing the report to be "confused" and "contradictory," noting that Rome is in "chaos."

Though unsure whether the document approves of same sex-marriage, Archbishop of Westminister Cardinal Vincent Nichols explained that the report indeed states a "heartfelt effort" of saying that the Church welcomes interaction with the gay community.

TagsReligion Belief, Social Issues, Bishop, same sex marriage, Christianity