New Helsinki Bishop speaks out

YLE news from Finland reports the remarks of the new Bishop of Helsinki, the Rt Rev Teemu Sippo, regarding Swedish Lutheran proposals to allow religious ceremonies to recognise the partnerships of same-sex couples. He points out that everything that happens in Sweden moves to Finland sooner or later and that marriage should not be regarded simply as an administrative matter but as a sacrament. He fears for relations between the Lutheran Church and the Catholic Church in Finland. He also questions the wisdom of handing out free condoms to young people:
Handing out condoms is like telling people to use them. I believe youths should instead be encouraged to practice abstinence.
See: Finland’s Catholic Bishop Warns of Rift with Lutherans over Gay Marriage

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