'Relatio Post Disceptationem' translates 'Report after Debate.' The 58- section report of the Catholic Church's Extraordinary Synod of the Bishops released on Monday tackles about the state of the family in the modern world.
Both the media and the Catholics were shocked with an apparent softer stance of the Vatican towards homosexuality, which gained negative position for long years. However, the Vatican still made it clear that the Vatican report is still far from an actual policy revision.
One of the reports entitled 'Welcoming homosexual persons' suggest a more understanding side of the church on gays which was correlated with 'sin' for a very long time.
"Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community," the report states. "Are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities? Often they wish to encounter a Church that offers them a welcoming home. Are our communities capable of providing that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?"
Homosexuals became the highlight in the second week of the synod reflecting the view of the church in today's world. Such change is considered a major shift, reflecting a more tolerant stance from the church.
However, it is still not final. There are no changes in the doctrine or new rites. It is also stated that welcoming homosexuals would not mean that the church is no longer equating 'gays' to 'sin.'
Pope Francis' was the first Pope to render understanding on giving emphasis on the positive rather than negative aspects of human sexuality. This had made many bishops attending the synod to agree.
The assembly of 200 bishops around the world in the synod is not only centered towards same-sex unions, but also to couples living together without marriage, and divorced couples who have entered a second union without Church annulment.
