The Church Synod did not approve the bishops’ proposal for two parallel definitions of marriage. Photo: Roni Lehti / Str / Lehtikuva
- Previous Article Finland backs Nokia bid to host EU AI gigafactory
- Next Article Hesburger to end children’s meal in 2026
Finnish Lutheran bishops have recommended that all congregations open their church buildings to same-sex couples seeking marriage ceremonies or blessings. The recommendation, issued in a pastoral guideline in June, aims to standardise practice across the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
Currently, church policy defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Some congregations already permit same-sex ceremonies, while others do not.
The bishops now state that no separate local decision is needed to allow church premises for these events.
“The bishops’ conference has now clarified that no separate approval is required to use church premises for same-sex weddings or blessings,” said Anna-Kaisa Inkala, theological secretary to the bishops’ conference.
The guideline encourages all congregations to offer their spaces equally, although the bishops acknowledge that it remains a recommendation, not a mandate. Church law does not oblige congregations to adopt identical practices, and diocesan chapters still have discretion over local implementation.
“The recommendation is meant to guide all congregations, but they are not legally bound to comply,” said Inkala.
The bishops also suggest that pastors should not face consequences for officiating same-sex ceremonies. A similar guideline issued in 2020 advised restraint in disciplining clergy involved in such weddings.
The new statement comes one month after the Church’s General Synod rejected a proposal to formally adopt a parallel definition of marriage that would include same-sex couples.
Two bishops, Jari Jolkkonen of the Diocese of Kuopio and Matti Salomäki of the Diocese of Lapua, issued dissenting opinions on the latest guideline. Jolkkonen declined an interview but confirmed via email that he did not see a need for congregations to make separate decisions on church premises.
Jolkkonen stated the issue had been briefly discussed with local clergy and that his verbal guidance was consistent with the new pastoral recommendation.
At the local level, some clergy are still assessing the implications. Sanna Husso, vicar of Männistö Parish in Kuopio, said the practical effect of the bishops’ instruction is still unclear.
The pastoral guideline reflects an effort to ensure uniformity across all dioceses, according to Inkala.
“It aims to guide congregations so that same-sex couples have access to church premises regardless of the diocese,” she said.
While the recommendation resembles the 2020 guideline, the broader issue of church doctrine remains unresolved. In 2020, Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court ruled that church authorities had the legal right to discipline clergy who officiated same-sex weddings. Under current doctrine, marriage remains defined as between a man and a woman.
HT
- Previous Article Finland backs Nokia bid to host EU AI gigafactory
- Next Article Hesburger to end children’s meal in 2026
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
