The Vatican and Pope Francis appear to be leaning toward a more conciliatory attitude about gays and divorced people.

But recent statements by bishops in session might be ruffling feathers.On Monday at the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, senior clerics reviewing Catholic teachings on family called on the Roman Catholic Church to adopt a more positive stance on homosexuality.A preliminary report issued by bishops said homosexuals had "gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community."Similarly, the document states the church must welcome divorced people and recognize the "positive" aspects of civil marriages and even Catholics who cohabitate."Are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities?" asked the group.Human rights advocates hailed it as a long-overdue advance in church position.But others rejected it as betrayal.On Tuesday, Matt Kerr, public information officer for the Diocese of Allentown, said nothing actually has changed at this point in time and there was no diocese statement."Dioceses as a rule let the Vatican speak for itself," he indicated. "When Church teachings are the subject, the Vatican speaks for the whole Church."A follow-up Vatican statement, issued Tuesday and forwarded by Kerr, appears to be a step backward, indicating, perhaps, backlash and criticism by conservative bishops may have prompted second thoughts.The update from Vatican Information Service states:"The General Secretariat of the Synod, in response to reactions and discussions following the publication of the (document), and the fact that often a value has been attributed to the document that does not correspond to its nature, reiterates that it is a working document, which summarizes the interventions and debate of the first week, and is now being offered for discussion by the members of the Synod gathered in the small groups, in accordance with the regulations of the Synod." 'The work of the small groups will be presented to the Assembly in the general congregation next Thursday morning.' "Local reaction to a Times News Facebook update carried strong sentiment."Good or bad I could care less about what the Catholic Church has to say about the life I lead," wrote Katelyn Peters of Slatington."I harm no one, I work just as hard as anyone else, I have an amazing supportive family, and I'm happy. Their (the church's) opinion, good or bad, is irrelevant."Another suggested the church needs to look beyond name-calling."Enough with labels. A human being is a human being and has gifts to offer despite sexual orientation," said Alexandra Tholen.A Pew Research study released last month found that 72 percent of Americans see religion's role in public life declining, according to the Secular Coalition for America, a nonprofit in Washington, D.C.