It is the first Norwegian denomination outside of The Church of Norway that condemns attitudes and actions that have inflicted violations, injuries and suffering on LGBT people.
Norway: Bishops to allow gay church weddings
The Bishops’ Conference (Kirkemøtet) of the Church of Norway (Den Norske Kirke) approved new marriage ceremony rules that will allow homosexuals to be married within the church.
As part of the church officials' historic decision, bishops and other church officials were granted the right to refuse to officiate homosexual marriages. However, gay couples are ensured the right of being married in their local church even if the officials decline to carry out the service. Read more via the Local
Church of Norway votes in favor of gay marriage
The General Synod of the Church of Norway, the largest Christian denomination in the Scandinavian country, has voted in favor of accepting same-sex marriage, and will be offering the service to gay couples in the future.
Church of Norway chairman Sturla Stålsett said that the Synod's decision is "historical," The Nordic Page reported. The decision still allows individual priests and other church staff to decide whether they want to participate in ceremonies for gay people, however.
Breitbart noted that the vote from the country's 12 bishops was unanimous, but will first need to be ratified by the Synod next spring before it becomes official. It opens the door for the first gay weddings to take place in Church of Norway churches by 2017. Read more via Christian Post