sentences:  It was not until the late twentieth century, with the growing tolerance and understanding in Europe and North America towards sexual orientation and gays and lesbians, that bishops and other clergy have begun coming out.However, the controversial nature of the issue in many churches has meant that such revelations normally emerge as a result of public scandal.A 2006 survey of weekly churchgoers in the United States, for example, found that there remained significant opposition in some US congregations to the idea of gay pastors and bishops serving openly.