Vatican Reviewing Catholic Stance On Gay Marriage, Calls For Being ‘Less Judgmental’

June 27, 2014 1:31 PM

VATICAN CITY (AP) — As San Francisco explodes with revelers celebrating the gay lifestyle, on Thursday the Vatican discussed less judgmental language regarding gay unions and the gay lifestyle, in addition to conceding that most Catholics reject its teachings on sex and contraception as intrusive and irrelevant.

Vatican officials pledged not to “close our eyes to anything” when it opens a two-year debate on some of the thorniest issues facing the church.

Core church doctrine on the nature of marriage, sexuality, abortion and divorce isn’t expected to change as a result of the debate that opens in October. But Pope Francis is well aware that the church has lost much of its relevance and credibility in today’s secular world and he is seeking to redirect his ministers to offer families, and even gays in civil unions, a “new language” that is welcoming and responds to their needs.

The Vatican on Thursday issued the working document for the synod discussions, which in itself marked a sharp change from past practice: The Vatican sent out a 39-point questionnaire seeking input from ordinary Catholics around the world about their understanding of, and adherence to, the church’s teaching on sexuality, homosexuality, contraception, marriage and divorce.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/06/27/vatican-reviewing-catholic-stance-on-gay-marriage-calls-for-being-less-judgmental/