Norway's state church votes in favor of same-sex marriages

OSLO (AP) — In a major ecclesiastical turnaround, a large majority of Norway's church synod have voted in favor of same-sex marriages.

Of 115 synod members present at the Church of Norway's council, 88 voted in favor, meaning that the state church will adopt provisions for marrying same-sex couples at its meeting next year and make it part of its official liturgy.

Monday's decision, however, allows clergy members who disapprove of same-sex marriages to refrain from performing such ceremonies.

The church described the vote as "a historic decision that marks a shift in the church's teaching on marriage."

The Evangelical-Lutheran Church is the Scandinavian country's largest church to which more than 70 percent of the 5.1 million people belong.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-04-12

I hope Manny Pacquiao reads this (though I am not convinced he is actually capable of reading)

I can hardly wait until the world votes in favor of banning all marriages...free sex to all willing participants...the village will raise the children...(if there are any)...feel free to sleep anywhere with anyone...

Men in white hazard suits...will gather the diseased and decaying bodies daily...

So, it is all good!