It has been reported the Catholic Church will discuss plans for priests to give blessings to gay couples.
According to the Daily Mail the Bishop of Osnabruck, Franz-Josef Bode, said Pope Francis and the rest of delegates at the upcoming Synod on the family next month would talk about the proposals.
Bishop Bode told the newspaper while gay relationships could not be 'something that would be equal to a marriage', the Catholic Church must treat gay people in "a positive way".
He said "with prayers and a private form of a blessing, one will be able to accompany them on their way."
Some see the plans as affirming actions which the Bible says are wrong, while others believe it is another step towards the Catholic Church fully accepting and recognising gay relationships and marriage.
Pope Francis has urged the Catholic Church to be more inclusive and accepting of gay people, while stressing that the Church is not changing its doctrine on traditional and same-sex relationships.
In 2013, the pontiff said he was no place to judge gay people.
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Article by Aaron James
Tola Mbakwe is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
