A senior priest in the Vatican has been stripped of his doctrinal responsibilities after coming out publicly as gay.

Polish priest Krzystof Charamsa held a news conference today with his Catalan partner on the eve of a gathering of the church to discuss its gay members, among other issues.

He said he was "happy and proud" of his identity.

AFP reports a spokesperson for Pope Francis has described the priest's actions as "very serious and irresponsible."

In an interview with the Corriere Della Sera, Msgr Charamsa, said: "It's time the Church opened its eyes and realised that offering gay believers total abstinence from a life of love is inhuman.

Speaking to the BBC Fr Charamsa (PRO: Har-am-sa) says gay people have a right to love and be married: