Rome ( CNN ) -- Under furious assault from conservative Catholics , the Vatican backtracked Tuesday on its surprisingly positive assessment of gays and same-sex relationships . In a report Monday , the Vatican had said that gays and lesbians have `` gifts to offer '' the Christian community and acknowledged that same-sex couples can give `` precious support '' to one other . The statement , an interim report from a closely watched meeting of Catholic clergy here , was widely praised by liberals . It is believed to be the first time the Vatican has said anything positive about gay relationships . One longtime Vatican journalist called the statement a `` pastoral earthquake . '' But many conservatives complained that the statement watered down church teaching and did not accurately reflect their discussions here , where nearly 200 Catholic leaders are meeting to debate pastoral approaches to modern family life . One South African cardinal called Monday 's statement , which also included positive language about unmarried couples who cohabitate , `` irredeemable . '' `` The message has gone out that this is what the synod is saying , this is what the Catholic Church is saying , '' said Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier , referring to the special meeting of Catholic clergy gathered here through Saturday . `` It 's not what we 're saying at all . '' In response to such reactions , the Vatican backtracked a bit Tuesday . In a statement , it said the report on gays and lesbians was a `` working document , '' not the final word from Rome . The Vatican also said that it wanted to welcome gays and lesbians in the church , but not create `` the impression of a positive evaluation '' of same-sex relationships , or , for that matter , of unmarried couples who live together . But gay rights groups say that 's precisely the impression the Vatican gave Monday when it said : . `` Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community . Are we capable of welcoming these people , guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities ? Often they wish to encounter a church that offers them a welcoming home . Are our communities capable of providing that , accepting and valuing their sexual orientation , without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony ? '' Such statements seem to be in line with the more merciful approach the church has taken toward gays and lesbians under Pope Francis . In 2013 , Francis famously said , `` Who am I to judge ? '' gay people . On Monday morning , just before the Vatican released its positive report on gays , Francis preached that laws that do not lead people to Jesus are `` dead ; '' what 's more , Christ did `` strange things '' such as hanging out with sinners and tax collectors , the Pope preached , seemingly tipping his hand about the Vatican 's direction . The overarching goal of the meeting here , officially called the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family , is to present proposals for a larger gathering to be held in October 2015 . Which means there 's a long road ahead before any doctrinal or pastoral changes happen in the church . In the meantime , conservative and liberal bishops have been fiercely jousting in the court of public opinion . Monday 's report only increased the war of words . Cardinal Raymond Burke , an American and head of the Vatican 's supreme court , said the report `` lacks a solid foundation in the sacred Scriptures . '' Other conservatives called it a `` betrayal . '' Opinion : 3 ways the Catholic church should embrace gay rights . Liberal Catholics and gay activists , on the other hand , heralded Monday 's statement and said that some conservative pushback was probably inevitable , given how hostile some corners of the church are to change . `` I actually do n't think this is as much of a backtrack as we usually see ! '' said Marianne Duddy-Burke , head of the gay rights group Dignity USA . `` I think that response to this report was swift and intense , and I 'm sure many bishops want to be sure people are n't reading more into it than is there , '' she continued . `` However , it is undeniable that there has never been any Vatican document that made positive , respectful statements about same-sex relationships , so that is an undeniable breakthrough . '' Francis DeBernardo , executive director of New Ways Ministry , echoed that sentiment . `` Regardless of the fact that this is a working document , it is still significant in that it reveals a strong current of affirmative attitudes at high levels in the church towards lesbians and gay people , '' he said .
Liberal Catholics and gay activists heralded Vatican 's initial statement . Vatican had said that gays and lesbians have `` gifts to offer '' the Christian community . Vatican retreats a bit Tuesday after pushback from conservative Catholics . Report was a `` working document , '' not the final word from Rome , Vatican says .