Edited sentence: However, the controversial nature of the issue in many churches has meant that such revelations normally emerge as a result of public scandal.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.This has precipitated crises in various Christian denominations, resulting from divergent construals of Christian ethical doctrines (see Homosexuality and Christianity), which in turn are associated with the interpretation of the Bible (exegesis and hermeneutics).Traditionally, Christian doctrine has categorized homosexual activity as sinful