A new Vatican document has marked a dramatic shift in tone from the Catholic Church towards gay people, stating that homosexuals have “gifts and qualities to offer". The document goes on to ask if Catholicism could accept gay people, and recognise positive aspects of same-sex couples.

The news has been welcomed as a breakthrough step by gay rights groups, but rejected as a betrayal of traditional values by conservatives within the church.

The document comes a week after a synod of 200 bishops discussed the family. It says the church should find “a fraternal space” for gay people, without compromising Catholic doctrine on family and matrimony.

For all that there appears to be a shift in church attitude at the heart of this document, there is no hint that there will be any change in the Church’s policy of condemning homosexual acts and gay marriage. The language was significantly – less judgmental and more compassionate – than was seen prior to Pope Francis’ election in 2013. Pope Benedict called homosexuals “intrinsically disordered” in 2012.

Pope Francis has previously shown an openness to the church turning away from the traditional view of homosexuality, saying last year:"If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge."

The document says: "Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer the Christian community: are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a further space in our communities? Often they wish to encounter a Church that offers them a welcoming home."

Elizabeth Saint-Guily, spokeswoman for David and Jonathan, a gay Christian association in France, told Reuters that the group had received news of the synod document "with joy," despite it not fully meeting their expectations. "The fact that we are even on the agenda is amazing" she said.