Vatican considers dramatic shift regarding gays

It's a major shift in tone by the Catholic Church regarding gays and lesbians.

Following a week-long meeting of 200 bishops, the Vatican released a new document which says homosexuals have "gifts and qualities to offer."

This same document also challenged the Church to accept gays and lesbians and recognize the positive aspects of same-sex couples.

The language --- less judgmental and more compassionate --- is dramatically different from previous statements under different popes.

While there is nothing to suggest the Church is changing its opposition to gay marriage, the document will be discussed by bishops during their final week of meetings -- also known as the synod.

The move opens the door to greater acceptance of gays and lesbians by the church -- a historic shift inside an organization famed for being slowly to change.