Sat, 03 Sep, 2016 12:09:56 AM FTimes – STT Report, Sep 3  Archbishop Kari Mäkinen. File Photo – Lehtikuva. Archbishop Kari Mäkinen of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church on Friday said that the Church will certainly continue with the debate on the understanding of marriage.
The Bishops Conference issued a statement this week on marriage equality to parishes and their clergy. The change in marriage law in Finland does not allow priests in the Evangelical Lutheran Church to ordain or bless same-sex marriages.
Mäkinen pointed out that there are differing views in the church regarding what the future policy and practice of the church should be. According to Mäkinen, it is essential that the debate con-tinue as openly as possible, with all sides appreciating the concerns of others.
“The Bishops Conference statement was the opening of the discussion. Now we can hold a de-bate and consider the supporters and challengers [of marriage equality],” Mäkinen said.
The marriage equality law comes into force in March. However, the law does not require religious communities to change their practices.
The Bishops Conference statement will be given to the Church Synod, which meets in Novem-ber.
“I believe the debate will continue there,” said Mäkinen adding that, “I cannot say how long this process will be or where it will end up. It is essential that when the church makes decisions, there must be a quite large consensus.”
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