This Monday marked the start of the two-week sex conference called by Pope Francis in Vatican City. The Synod by the Catholic Church is attended by almost 200 cardinals, bishops and priests.
The meeting will address issues regarding controversial topics like gay unions, pre-marital sex, divorce and contraception, among others.
The synod will be the perfect opportunity to openly debate about these taboo topics in the Catholic Church. The Pope urges bishops to talk freely about their opinions on these matters.
"You have to say what you feel the Lord tells you to say, without concerns of human respect and without fear," Pope Francis reminded the bishops at the first day of their meeting.
The meeting will further discuss the result of the 39-point questionnaire on sex and relationships that the Pope sent to every diocese worldwide last year.
According to the Associated Press, the survey confirmed that majority of the Catholics do not follow the Church teachings regarding sex and contraception. It also shows that the Catholic Church should provide a pastoral plan for gay unions and children raised in such families.
The meeting highlights the need to openly discuss homosexuality, which is a first for the Church.
A big discussion was also about divorce. As reported on Daily Mail, reformist bishops have been proposing to accept divorced and remarried Catholics to accept Communion. Currently, the Catholic teaching won't allow this because they are believed as living in sin and were called adulterers.
Conservative and senior clergies have been voicing their disagreement to such proposals. They believe that it may damage the view of the Catholics on marriage.
Pope Francis insists that he is a "Son of the Church", and changes on Catholic teachings may be good to show compassion for wounded souls. He recently baptized a child of a gay union in Argentina saying "Who am I to judge?"
He reminded the bishops that the church should be more understanding to people living in an unconventional way like those unmarried couples living together.
During an interview with an Argentinean newspaper, he further relayed his message saying "What should the church do? Expel them from their breast? Or approach them and try to bring them close and teach them the word of God? I am in favor of the latter position."
Conservatives are still opposed to the idea on accommodating such issues. They believe that the Synod will be a way to reaffirm the Church doctrine.
Reformists believe that there's still hope with the help of the Pope who urges open talks about these important issues.