Sweden Church Might Support Homosexuality (Press, 11 April 1985)

In April 1985, Sweden's Lutheran State Church appears poised to endorse proposed legislation aimed at prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals. This move could have significant implications for the Church's stance on homosexuality, potentially curtailing priests' freedoms to preach that it is sinful. Bishops are expected to express their opinions on a formal report advocating for legal protections for homosexuals and the prohibition of public derogatory remarks towards them. Liberal members of the Church of Sweden anticipate that the bishops will align with this report and shift away from the Church’s longstanding condemnation of homosexuality, which dates back to a 1951 statement that labelled it as a "crime against the word of God." Dean Ludvig Jonsson of Stockholm Cathedral highlighted the Church's progressive movement, noting that many priests have adopted a more accepting approach toward homosexuals. Jonsson has been particularly proactive in promoting inclusivity, having helped establish a dedicated service for homosexuals that has become an integral part of Stockholm's annual "homosexual liberation" week. He affirmed the Church's acceptance of homosexuals without reservations. Anna Mohr, a spokesperson for a homosexual Christian group, indicated that some priests are openly homosexual, especially in the more progressive Stockholm area, although discretion regarding sexual orientation is generally preferred among bishops. Conversely, conservative factions within the Church maintain that homosexuality is a serious sin that should not receive endorsement from the institution, which nominally serves 95 per cent of the Swedish population. An estimated 650,000 individuals over the age of 15 in Sweden identify as homosexual, amidst a culture that promotes openness regarding sexual discussions, with comprehensive sex education mandated for children starting at age seven. The report titled “Homosexuals and society” aspires to combat discrimination and facilitate broader societal acceptance of homosexuals. It recommends that homosexuals be afforded the same legal protections against discrimination in employment and housing that are extended to other minority groups. While the report refrains from endorsing homosexual marriage, it argues for providing homosexual cohabitation the same legal status as heterosexual cohabitation. A particularly contentious element of the report, which has sparked backlash from conservative Church members, is the suggestion that individuals publicly insulting or ridiculing homosexuals could face fines or imprisonment. Karl-Gustav Lindelow, a judge and traditionalist, expressed concerns during a Church assembly about potential restrictions on the Church's freedom of speech, asserting that priests should be allowed to preach against homosexuality according to their biblical convictions. However, proposals to dismiss priests based on their sexual orientation failed to gain support during the assembly. Pastor Gunnar Lindberg expressed the belief that adding Church censure to the challenges faced by homosexuals was unwarranted. The former Bishop of Stockholm, Lars Carlzon, equated discrimination based on homosexuality to discrimination based on race. Dean Jonsson anticipates the bishops will reflect the sentiments expressed in a previous report commissioned ten years earlier, which argued for a more accepting interpretation of homosexuality within stable relationships, contesting uncritical readings of biblical texts. Jonsson's stance emphasises the need for acceptance of people's sexual orientation, concluding that moralising against homosexuality cannot erase its existence.

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