The Vatican has altered a draft report detailing the ongoing debate in the Catholic Church on the issue of homosexuals and gay marriage after the document came under fire from conservative English-speaking members of the clergy.

While the original Catholic Church text in Italian was retained, the new English version released Thursday now bears the title "Providing for homosexual persons" as opposed to the initial "Welcoming homosexuals."

Like Us on Facebook

The first draft -- circulated Monday and accurately depicted the idea encapsulated in the Italian version -- questioned the Cahtolic Church's ability to welcome gays and assure them a "fraternal space" within the community. The second one, however, addresses only the provision of "valuable support" and "fellowship," Time reported.

On Thursday, Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican's spokesperson, asked the media not to fuel controversy about the revision and emphasized that Thursday's draft - just like the other translations - still retains the tone and essence of the original Italian version.

He explained the document was amended after requests from the English-speaking clergy claimed the first English translation was wrong.

The main contention over the first draft argues the need to underscore the church's teaching on family life, which maintains that marriage is between a man and a woman and is open to offspring. The English-speaking clergy claims that faithful Catholic family units should be encouraged, instead of focusing on "irregular" unions, according to the Associated Press.

Despite this, Lombardi vowed to probe into the matter after he was shown how the revisions drastically altered the meaning of the text.

Meanwhile, Francis DeBardo of the New Ways Ministry U.S. gay rights group said he preferred the first version, but expressed optimism all the same, saying that the fact the Vatican was still speaking about providing "valuable support" was a good thing.

The language is merely an attempt to accommodate the gay people. DeBardo added, this is only the first step towards acceptance of homosexuals.

The second draft will still undergo more revisions after which the final report will go to a vote to the Vatican on Saturday.

The report will need two-thirds of the vote to move to the next stage which will take part in discussions among the archdioceses worldwide before the clergy reconvenes next year.

If approved, the report will ultimately materialize as part of the Pope Francis' church teachings.

TagsReligion Belief, Social Issues, Federico Lombardi, Minister, Homosexuality and Catholicism