Priests who do not want to marry same-sex couples may be denied employment in the Swedish Church’s parishes. That decision was made by the church assembly after a long debate.
It was with 141 votes for and 99 against that the church assembly – the highest decision-making body of the Swedish Church – voted yes to the proposal put forward by the Social Democrat Jesper Eneroth.
“There was a very good and happy feeling in the body when this issue finally went through, and also with such great unity,” Eneroth told Expressen.
According to Eneroth, it is reasonable for all priests to be prepared to marry same-sex couples, and the proposal that went through provides an opportunity for parishes to ask the question and requirement when hiring, something he finds very pleasing.
Pros and cons
Even Johannes Fransson (S), chairman of Queerisk – an association for LGBTQI+ people within the Swedish Church, was satisfied.
“I think that resources used for people to feel included and welcome in their parishes are well spent money,” he said.
Priest Hans Weichbrodt (FK) moved for rejection referring to the Church Council’s statement from 2009, when it became legal for same-sex couples to marry in Sweden, that how one views the marriage of same-sex couples should be irrelevant in employment in the Swedish Church – something he believes means that there is also room for those who fully believe that marriage is instituted between a man and a woman.