Catholic bishops have softened their stance toward the homesexual community and divorcees during a meeting at The Vatican to discuss issues related to the family in modern society.

A report prepared after the first week of debate in the two-week conference shows a change of attitude toward gay union and Catholic couples who remarry.

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Pastors were urged in the report to be more welcoming to gays who have “gifts and qualities to offer the Christian community”, according to a New York Times article.

Pastors were also asked to be accepting of divorced Catholic couples, “avoiding any language or behaviour that might make them feel discriminated against”.

“The Church turns respectfully to those who participate in her life in an incomplete and imperfect way, appreciating the positive values they contain rather than their limitations and shortcoming,” the Bishops said.