Parishes are given the right to deny priests employment if they refuse to marry same-sex couples.
After a long debate, the Church Assembly voted yes to the Social Democrat Jesper Eneroth’s proposal with a majority of 50 votes.
– I was very happy. I and the Social Democrats and many others have tried for ten years to find ways forward on the issue, he says.
The article in brief
Priests can be denied jobs if they refuse to marry same-sex couples.
The church meeting voted yes after a long debate – 141 for, 99 against.
The proposal arouses both joy and concern within the Church of Sweden.
The Church Meeting is the highest decision-making body of the Church of Sweden and during this year’s meeting a proposal from Jesper Eneroth (S) was one of the most discussed.
That the congregations of the Church of Sweden should be able to deny priests employment if they refuse to marry same-sex couples.
After a long debate with many participants, the Church Meeting chose to say yes – with 141 votes in favor and 99 against.
– It was a very good and happy feeling in the body when this issue finally went through and also with such great agreement, says Jesper Eneroth.
“All priests must be prepared”
– My basic position is that it is reasonable that all priests should be prepared to marry same-sex couples, and this is also the wish expressed by the Bishops’ Conference and others. But this proposal that passed now provides an opportunity for congregations to ask that question and make that requirement in hiring – and that is very gratifying.
Four members abstained from voting.
The priest Hans Weichbrodt (FK), who is part of and runs the Oas renewal movement within the Church of Sweden, was among those who requested refusal.
He highlighted the Church Council’s statement from 2009, when it became legal for same-sex couples to marry in Sweden, that the question of how to view the marriage of same-sex couples should have no significance when employed by the Church of Sweden.
– Which means that we also have a place in the church for those who fully believe that marriage has been instituted between a man and a woman, said Weichbrodt.
“People should feel included”
Other opponents argued that the issue should be referred to the employers’ organization and that the proposal would require large resources if it is to become a reality.
– I think that resources used to make people feel included and welcome in their congregations are money well spent, said Johannes Fransson (S), who works as an educator at the Church of Sweden and is chairman of Queerisk, an association for LGBTQ+ people within the Church of Sweden.
Priest Johanna Andersson (Posk), of the Diocese of Gothenburg, told how she welcomed the introduction of registered partnerships in 1995 and looked forward to blessing them.
When the gender-neutral marriage code was introduced instead, she thought it would be fun to marry same-sex couples.
But the weddings did not take place.
– I have been a priest for almost 35 years and have never been asked to bless or marry a same-sex couple. It’s probably because I’m a heterosexual and there are other priests who are much more fun, Johanna Andersson said jokingly, and then highlighted her concerns about the proposal.
– On the one hand, we are concerned about the priest shortage and on the other hand, we are trying to lower the requirements to enter. At the same time, we set new demands on the other end. And how was it now with not pressuring the congregations with different orders coming from above?
