A new General Synod of Finland's Evangelical Lutheran Church will consider a proposal from its Bishops' Conference to add a provision on parallel marriages to the Church order.
In practice, this would mean that in the future priests in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland would be able to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.
The Bishops' Conference approved the proposed amendment to the Church Order at its meeting on Tuesday. A final decision on the issue will be taken by the 109-member General Synod which is mostly made up of laypeople.
Yle spoke to five members of the General Synod, which starts its term in May, about the proposal by the Bishops' Conference.
Religion has traditionally played a strong role in northern coastal areas of the country and membership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is more common there than in the capital region, for example.
In particular, Central, South, and North Ostrobothnia are perceived as conservative regions, partly because of the strong position of Christian revivalist movements — such as Laestadianism — in those areas. The Bishop of the Diocese of Lapua in South Ostrobothnia dissented from the decision made at the Bishops' Conference.
There are wide differences in views on the issue of redefining marriage among Church Synod members in the region.
"We can still reject this"
Hannu Kippo from Kokkola says he was saddened by the bishops' proposal. He plans to vote against the motion.
"My conscience will not allow me to vote against the word of the Bible and the articles of faith of the Church. According to the Bible, marriage is meant to be a union between a man and a woman," Kippo said.
He added that people are currently seeking security and stability in their lives. The idea of parallel concepts of marriage could eat away at the Church's influence.
"If the Church doesn't hold to what's written in the Bible, where do they look for refuge when they wonder what will happen to me when I die and leave this place?" he asked.
Kippo does not believe that the Church Synod will accept the bishops' proposal.
"Passage requires three-quarters approval and we can still reject this," he says.
"Rip and fragment"
Pauli Niemelä, pastor of the Kiiminki parish in North Ostrobothnia, also does not believe the proposal will pass.
Niemelä was disappointed by the outcome of the Bishops Conference. Even though the move was expected, he was a little surprised that the motion was passed almost unanimously.
"I see it as a big step in the wrong direction," he said.
Niemelä points out that the Church's documents state that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. He sees an inevitable change coming in the Church's understanding of marriage.
"When you change the practice, you change doctrine," he pointed out.
Niemelä also sees the unity of the Church suffering, even in individual congregations.
"Indeed, this rips and fragment the Church. Many revival movements are already seriously considering this issue," he added.
Niemelä also views the bishops' proposal as an interim step, because it does not even come close to satisfying everyone.
"Best proposal so far"
Markku Orsila, Director of the Seinäjoki Parish Family Affairs Centre in South Ostrobothnia, is in favour of allowing parallel marriage for same-sex couples. He has been proactive on the issue in recent years and had hoped that the bishops would consider various solutions.
"This is the best proposal I have heard so far. I hope that we can move forward," Orsila told Yle.
Orsila wants to be a driving force for open-minded and merciful thinking.
"The more you observe people, the more you realise that we are all strange and all a bit different. There is something wonderful in everyone and something out of whack with everyone," he explained.
Orsila believes that a parallel concept of marriage will not refashion the doctrine of the Church.
"Marriage and relationship issues are not at the heart of faith. They are not a sacramental matter for the Church. It is more about how we tolerate each other and how we tolerate different interpretations and views on this issue," Orsila concluded.
"The proposal is unbiblical"
Asko Syrjälä from Kannus in Central Ostrobothnia, does not want to try to predict the fate of the bishops' proposal.
His opinion on the matter is clear, although he is unwilling to give a direct answer when asked how he intends to vote.
"The proposal is unbiblical and I do not approve of it. My view remains that marriage is between a man and a woman," he stated.
If a provision on parallel concepts of marriage is adopted by the Church, it will, in Asko Syrjälä's view, be abandoning one of its most important principles.
Syrjälä's position is clear, "All doctrine in the Church must be judged by the Holy Word of God."
"Approval would create two opposing doctrines"
Jaana Metsäranta, vice-chair of the Seinäjoki Church Council, opposes the proposal and remains in favour of the traditional view of marriage.
"I consider myself open to change, but on this issue I'm sticking to the interpretation of the Bible," she explained.
For Metsäranta, the Church's view of marriage is primarily theological, not humanistic.
"I do not see this as a human rights issue. My position certainly does not mean that I am discriminating against any minority," she said.
According to Metsäranta, if the parallel concept of marriage is accepted, it would create two opposing doctrines within the Church.
"The model proposed by the Bishops' Conference would not necessarily bring the unity in the Church that is being sought."
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