Catholic Bishops to Tackle Gay Question

The always-on-top-of-things Michael Paulson at the Boston Globe has a preview of a proposed statement by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on the church's attitude towards gays and lesbians.

The bishops' previous landmark statement, "Always Our Children," was received in 1997 by some conservatives as too accommodating. Looks like those critics might be more satisified with the proposed changes:

The Catholic bishops of the United States, faced with ongoing controversy over the church's posture toward homosexuality, next month will vote on a proposal that would condemn ``scorn and hatred" of gays and lesbians but would also declare that gay couples should not be allowed to marry or adopt children, that baptizing the children of same-sex couples presents ``a pastoral concern," and that the church has the right to deny ``roles of service" to gays and lesbians who are not celibate.

Catholic bishops to define gay stance - The Boston Globe