The Conference of the Italian Bishops, on Sunday, announced the introduction of new guidelines permitting gay men to enroll in Roman Catholic seminaries, provided they commit to a life of celibacy.

Sunday Telegraph reports that the guidelines which permit gay men to enter seminaries marks the departure from a 2016 Vatican directive that discouraged men with deep-seated homosexual tendencies from pursuing the priesthood.

According to the guidelines, a candidate’s sexual orientation should be viewed as just one part of their overall personality and not a disqualifying factor.

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While the Vatican had not outright banned gay men from becoming priests in the past, this move signals a more inclusive approach within the Church.

“When referring to homosexual tendencies in the formation process, it is also appropriate not to reduce the discernment to this aspect alone, but … to understand its meaning within the whole framework of the young person’s personality,” the Italian guidelines say.

However, it’s not clear if the new guidelines will be reflected in other countries.