The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has repealed controversial rules that made gay marriage a sin eligible for expulsion and banned baptisms for children of gay parents.

The move reflects a major shift in the Church's attitude toward LGBTQ+ issues, though it still claims same-sex relationships are a “serious transgression.”

With the change, children of gay parents can now be baptised as long as their parents approve the baptisms and acknowledge that the children will be taught church doctrine, the church said in a statement from its highest leadership group called the First Presidency.

The 2015 rules that were approved by global church leaders had prohibited baptisms for children living with gay parents until the children turned 18 and disavowed same-sex relationships.

In a statement, the Christian sect — widely known as the Mormon church — said it would not be changing its doctrinal opposition to gay marriage.

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But people in same-sex relationships will no longer be considered “apostates” who can be kicked out of the religion, the statement said. That label given to same-sex couples in the 2015 policy was widely condemned by LGBTQ+ members and allies as being demeaning and hurtful to people who already struggle to find acceptance in the faith.

“The very positive policies announced this morning should help affected families,” church leaders said in the statement. “In addition, our members’ efforts to show more understanding, compassion and love should increase respect and understanding among all people of goodwill. We want to reduce the hate and contention so common today.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which counts 16 million members worldwide, did not apologise for putting the previous policy in place.

The announcement came two days before Saturday’s twice-yearly church conference in Salt Lake City. It was unknown if church leaders will speak more about the changes during the two-day conference, where church leaders give speeches about spirituality and sometimes unveil new church initiatives.

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Faith leaders had previously stated that the 2015 rules were designed to protect children by not putting them in a potential tug-of-war between the beliefs of same-sex couples raising them and teachings and activities at church.