Rome (CNN) The Vatican will consider allowing some married men in the Amazon region of South America to be ordained as priests, in order to help alleviate a shortage of Catholic clergy there.

In a document released on Monday, the Catholic Church announced that the question will be debated at a synod -- a special meeting -- to be held at the Vatican from October 6-27, potentially leading to a significant change in church rules.

"While affirming that celibacy is a gift for the Church, it is asked that for the most remote areas of the region, the possibility of priestly ordination of elders, preferably indigenous, respected and accepted by their community, even those who already have stable and consolidated families, be studied in order to ensure the sacraments to accompany and sustain Christian life," the preparatory document for the synod said.

According to the Vatican, the Amazon region includes parts of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela and Suriname, which has a population of 2.8 million people consisting of 400 indigenous tribes that speak some 240 languages.

The region is experiencing a shortage of priests and Pope Francis called for a special meeting of the region's bishops to tackle its problems.

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