Bishops Form Rules for Ministry to Gays

According to AP, the nation's Roman Catholic bishops said Wednesday they are developing new guidelines for ministry to gays, reaffirming church opposition to same-gender marriage and adoption by the couples, while condemning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The draft document encourages parishes to make gays feel welcome and provide them pastoral support, and notes that many"are ardently striving to live their faith within the Catholic community so as not to fall into the lifestyle and values of a `gay subculture.'"