Should all new priests marry same-sex couples? Hear the opinions for and against in the clip.
- It is about the church's image of God and human view, says Jerker Schmidt, priest and church politician for Borgerligt Alternativ and one of those who now wants all priests to marry same-sex couples.
Ahead of the church election, which will be held on September 19, the issue of same-sex marriage is now a hot topic again.
A real watershed, it turns out after Kyrkans tidning went out with an election survey to the church meeting's eleven nomination groups.
Five groups answer that they want to see demands that all new priests marry same-sex couples.
Six nomination groups answer that they do not want to see such a requirement.
"Is about freedom of speech"
Thus, it is now a majority of votes against the demand, if all members follow their group line.
Non-partisan in the Church of Sweden in the diocese of Gothenburg is one of the nomination groups that say no to all priests being forced to marry same-sex couples.
- It is a question of freedom of expression, even priests must have the right to freedom of opinion, says Mats Rimborg, chairman of POSK in the diocese of Gothenburg.
Since 2009, all parishes have been responsible for arranging marriages for both same-sex and heterosexual couples, but individual priests have the right to choose whether or not to marry same-sex couples.