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Norway's Lutheran Church approves new liturgy for same-sex marriage

Xinhua, January 31, 2017 Adjust font size:

Norway's Lutheran Church on Monday approved a new liturgy that will allow same-sex weddings in its churches, Norway's largest newspaper Aftenposten reported.

In the general synod of the Church of Norway in the city of Trondheim, 83 of the participants voted for and 29 voted against the new ritual.

The new wedding ritual will come into effect on Feb. 1, while the current ritual can still be used by those who want it. Priests who do not want to officiate at gay weddings can refuse requests, but this should not prevent a couple from marrying in the church they want.

Last April, the synod of the Church of Norway approved, by a large majority, same-sex wedding ceremonies in its churches.

A minority feel that marriage of homosexual couples contradicts their understanding of marriage, the Aftenposten reported.

Resigning Oslo bishop Ole Kristian Kvarme told Aftenposten that the decision "is going to hurt".

Leader of Open People's Church Gard Sandaker-Nielsen, on the other hand, commented that "this is the day when a prayer and a dream come true". Endit