The Church Times carries a report on this, written by me, and headlined Same-sex marriage approved.
THE Kyrkomötet (General Synod) of the Church of Sweden approved a recommendation that the Swedish Church should conduct weddings in church for both heterosexual and same-sex couples last week. The marriage liturgy will be amended slightly to reflect this.
The changes will take effect from Sunday 1 November. No individual cleric will be obliged to perform such a service, but every parish will be required to make provision for the liturgy, and to use visiting priests if necessary. The voting was 176 in favour with 62 against, and 11 abstentions…
The Church of Sweden has published a PDF file in English, containing several documents explaining the background leading up to this decision. You can find it here: Information on a possible decision regarding same-sex marriages.
The Church Times Question of the Week is related to this topic.
Earlier reports are here.
“The 14 Swedish bishops have a voice in the Synod, but they are not voting members. Many of them spoke during the full day of discussion that preceded the vote. Afterwards, seven bishops published a letter that criticised the decision, saying that it “puts at risk the unity of the Church – Church Times on Friday 30 Oct. 2009 – Well, well, Who’d have thought that the bishops of the Swedish Church do not have a vote in the proceedings of their General Synod. Clearly this puts a whole different complexion on the factor of democratic principle; which allows the… Read more »
“Well, well, Who’d have thought that the bishops of the Swedish Church do not have a vote in the proceedings of their General Synod.”
It might make it easier to get legislation approved, but it seems very, very odd.
God bless the Church of Sweden! 😀