Date: Fri, 20 Oct 1995 20:55:53 GMT
From: skolander@bahnhof.se (Bj\vrn Skolander)
Subject: SWEDEN: Christian Paper Offended by Gay Marriage

CHRISTIAN PAPER AGAINST BLESSING OF GAY COUPLE
20 October 1995
The Swedish Christian newspaper DAGEN expresses today its disapproval of  a
blessing ceremony of a gay couple in Gothenborg. The two men had earlier
this year registered their partnership at the local town hall. The Christian
paper has for years been fighting aginst the registered partnership reform.

Dagen says, that the clergyman, Lars Gaardfeldt, conducted the service
without the blessing of his superior (the Gothenborg district has for long
been known for its restistance to female clergymen and gay rights.) Dagen is
especially offended by the clergyman's suggestion at the end of the
ceremony: And now the bridegrooms may kiss eachother.

The Swedish Lutheran Church is still very divided regarding ceremonies for
gay and lesbian couples. The number of clergymen who are willing
wholeheartedly to bless homosexual couples is however growing.

Another problem for the Church is the gay and lesbian clergymen candidates.
An out lesbian couple has recently been rejected as candidates for the
second time, whereas closeted homosexuals have been accepted.

Bjorn Skolander
Tobias Wikstrom