Despite mounting internal pressure, Finland’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church has chosen not to budge on its longstanding stance: marriage remains a union between a man and a woman.
Back in May 2024, church leadership floated a proposal that would’ve opened the door to two parallel doctrines on marriage—one maintaining the traditional view, the other embracing same-sex unions. The plan would’ve let pastors decide whether to officiate gay weddings, while still requiring parishes to ensure that same-sex couples could marry in church settings. Musicians and organists, too, would’ve had the right to opt out of playing at such ceremonies.
But when the issue came to a vote at the church synod on May 8, the proposal fell short. While 62 members supported the change, 40 opposed and six sat on the fence. To pass, it needed a supermajority—three-quarters of the vote—which it didn’t even come close to reaching.
Although Finnish civil law already recognizes same-sex marriages, the church remains split. A handful of clergy have gone rogue, performing same-sex ceremonies in defiance of official church policy.
Archbishop Tapio Luoma didn’t hide his disappointment. Calling the rejection “frustrating,” he stressed how deeply meaningful church weddings are to couples seeking God’s blessing. Still, he remains hopeful. “I believe the day will come when our church embraces marriage equality,” he said.
For now, however, the Evangelical-Lutheran Church continues to draw a clear line in the sand, standing by its traditional biblical view—at least until hearts and votes shift further.
