SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) – The University of Notre Dame is holding a two-day conference to explore appropriate pastoral strategies for parishioners who regard themselves as non-heterosexual but accept Catholic Church teaching on marriage and sexuality.

The conference that begins Oct. 31 and is dubbed “Gay in Christ: Dimensions of Fidelity.'' It's being co-sponsored by the university's Institute for Church Life and the Gender Relations Center. Institute Director John Cavadini says the conference should resonate with much of the discussion of the Catholic bishops who assembled last week for their synod in Rome.

The bishops failed to reach consensus on the two most divisive issues at the synod: on welcoming gays and welcoming divorced and civilly remarried couples. The issues remain up for discussion ahead of another meeting of bishops next year.