Danish Government proposes law on same-sex marriage

"No obligation for pastors to perform the rituals," says Karsten Nissen, bishop in Viborg Diocese

November 23 - The Danish Government has proposed legislation to institute same-sex marriage in Denmark at the same time enabling same-sex couples to get married in church.

The news comes shortly after the new Minister for Church Affairs, Manu Sareen, has taken office. Mr Sareen being a long-term advocate for equal rights for same-sex couples.

In 2010 the then Minister for Church Affairs set up a committee to investigate the church' position on introducing same-sex marriage in Denmark. No clear concluson was reached albeit the bishops in Denmark have all since indicated that they are open to introduce a marriage ritual for same-sex couples in church should the politicians pass a law on same-sex marriage in Denmark.

The proposal will be debated in the Danish Parliament over the coming months but is likely to be passed.

Commenting on Government's latest proposal Bishop in Viborg Karsten Nissen underlines that this new legislation will not oblige the individual pastor to perform the ritual of same-sex marriage. “He or she has the right to object due to theological reasons,” he says and continues: “Furthermore it is important to me as a bishop that there will be separate rituals for homosexual and heterosexual couples.”
 
Below please see link to

Press release from the Ministry of Church Affairs on the recent legislative proposals

Conclusions on the committee on registered partnership and same-sex marriage from 2010

Text: Heidi Martinussen
Picture: Minister for Church Affairs, Manu Sareen

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fileadmin/interfiles/Arbejdsgruppe_Teologisk/Press_release_same_sex_marriage_KM.pdf181 K

fileadmin/interfiles/Arbejdsgruppe_Teologisk/Partnership_committee_summary_final_same_sex.pdf336 K