Finnish Orthodox Church Endorses LGBT And Gender Rights

[caffeinated hermit]

Finnish Church under Phanar endorses LGBT and gender rights

The Council of the Finnish Church has resolved to support the protection of the rights of sexual minorities and gender minorities.

spzh.eu

Kirkolliskokous 2025: Viidennessä täysistunnossa yksi pöydällepano, viiden asian käsittely päätökseen - Suomen ortodoksinen kirkko (Item 24)

Ok, wow... what are the thoughts of EO folks on here? Is this nothing of any real consequence and the Church is just trying not to get into trouble with the government, or is this coming closer to formal approval?

I can see how these statements could be taken either way; as stating compassion without affirmation or stating a possible approval, depending on how one wanted to view them.

~ ~ ~

Item 24 (General Synod initiative on recognizing and safeguarding the rights of sexual and gender minorities and other minorities in the Church)​

The General Synod decided to approve the initiative.

Rationale:

The General Synod's initiative on recognising and safeguarding the rights of sexual and gender minorities and other minorities in the Church states: "The Church is the body of Christ. The exclusion of certain parts of the body – the denial of their identity – not only hurts these individuals, but cripples the community itself, wounds the church and makes it less of a church, weaker. In the church, everyone – absolutely everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, skin colour, health challenges, social status, etc. you have to feel safe and genuinely be heard and encountered."

The General Synod considers that the objectives of the initiative – to strengthen the security, dignity and equal encounter of church membership – are in harmony with the pastoral tradition and educational mission of the Orthodox Church.

The General Synod considers it necessary for the Church to develop training, guidance and communication that support the comprehensive encounter and inclusion of all members belonging to minorities.

The General Synod does not take a stand on doctrinal issues, but emphasizes that the Church's policies must be in harmony with Finnish legislation and that the Church's educational and pastoral work requires clear practices that support equality. The Church must walk alongside every person and support them in all situations of life until the end.

 

[Lukaris]

I don’t know the social landscape of Finland but this sounds like if a Christian has a traditional understanding of sin to be repented of ( Matthew 4:17), all of a sudden it might be heresy. I’ll try to post again as soon as possible.

 

[NBB]

don't call them churches, churches are supposed to be a blessing.

 

[RileyG]

I think it says they have a right to exist- not that the Church is endorsing sin.

 

[Lukaris]

After reading this again, it sounds like pressure from the state to conform to secular law. So for ex. ( as far as I can guess) prior to this, the Church respects the secular law on same sex marriage but itself believes marriage is between male and female ( Mark 10:1-12 etc.), Now what? If a same sex couple with a civil marriage demands to join the church, does the church have to “bless” such a union? Or if unfaithful, nominal members want a same sex “marriage” is the church obligated to honor that?

 

[RileyG]

After reading this again, it sounds like pressure from the state to conform to secular law. So for ex. ( as far as I can guess) prior to this, the Church respects the secular law on same sex marriage but itself believes marriage is between male and female ( Mark 19:1-12 etc.), Now what? If a same sex couple with a civil marriage demands to join the church, does the church have to “bless” such a union? Or if unfaithful, nominal members want a same sex “marriage” is the church obligated to honor that?

I hope not.

 

[NBB]

The bible says to not bend the knee to them.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Does Finnish laws require that they "fall in-line" with certain precepts in order to maintain certain tax benefits or receive certain grants?

That's an honest question, I'm not familiar with those kinds of legal frameworks for Finland.

I know for Denmark, they passed a law in 2012 that said that a State church (any that carry the label of Church of Denmark) isn't allowed to opt out of performing Same Sex marriages, and if a particular clergymen refuses, the local bishop has to appoint a replacement.

But wasn't sure if all of the nordic countries were the same in that regard.

 

[Lukaris]

Does Finnish laws require that they "fall in-line" with certain precepts in order to maintain certain tax benefits or receive certain grants?

That's an honest question, I'm not familiar with those kinds of legal frameworks for Finland.

I know for Denmark, they passed a law in 2012 that said that a State church (any that carry the label of Church of Denmark) isn't allowed to opt out of performing Same Sex marriages, and if a particular clergymen refuses, the local bishop has to appoint a replacement.

But wasn't sure if all of the nordic countries were the same in that regard.

I don’t know and I always forget that state churches in Europe often receive government subsidies. As I was typing this a quick AI search told me the Finnish Orthodox Church ( as does the Lutheran) receives subsidies. I do know the Orthodox Church is small in Finland & believe in the past it has had to face pressure from Protestants and an unfair stigma of being seen as “Russian.”

I pray the Finland Church can find a way to separate from the increasingly anti Christian secular state and proclaim the Gospel. Even if the Church separates from the secular state, I guess the state would try to tax it to death.

 

[truthuprootsevil]

Seems like the Finnish government is telling the church what it can and can't do.

I don't know of a church that mistreats anyone of the lgbtq. What churches do is call out the sin, they don't mistreat the people, or treat them any differently in some cases treat them better than other members who are not lgbtq.

 

[Lukaris]

Seems like the Finnish government is telling the church what it can and can't do.

I don't know of a church that mistreats anyone of the lgbtq. What churches do is call out the sin, they don't mistreat the people, or treat them any differently in some cases treat them better than other members who are not lgbtq.

I know, when I became a Christian 20 years ago, I checked my heterosexual adultery at the door even though some sinful desire remains. If I ask the Church to accommodate my sin then I deny the Lord & everything Paul tells us in Romans 7 & 8 & what John tells us in 1 John 1:5-10.

 

[Stopped_lurking]

Does Finnish laws require that they "fall in-line" with certain precepts in order to maintain certain tax benefits or receive certain grants?

That's an honest question, I'm not familiar with those kinds of legal frameworks for Finland.

I know for Denmark, they passed a law in 2012 that said that a State church (any that carry the label of Church of Denmark) isn't allowed to opt out of performing Same Sex marriages, and if a particular clergymen refuses, the local bishop has to appoint a replacement.

But wasn't sure if all of the nordic countries were the same in that regard.

From my understanding not even the Lutheran protestant church in Finland requires churches to marry same-sex couples. In Sweden the Lutheran church does, but not because they are required by law (it's no longer a state church, it was decided in Kyrkomötet.). No churches are by law forced to marry same-sex couples, neither Orthodox or Catholic churches does it and I can only recall one imam that does it. I think the Norwegian church also does marry same-sex, however I'm not certain if they are required by law (I don't believe so, because they are not longer a state church either iirc).

Edited to add.
No law in Norway either, the Norwegian church decided to do same-sex marriages in a vote in 2016.

I think that the danish state church, is the only one that is an actual state church today. In the other countries the largest churches have a kind of de facto position in society due to their size, and long history, and old buildings etc. In Finland there is also a higher position for the Orthodox church I guess due to the shared history with Russia before independence (but it is very small).