The recognition of homosexual unions is dividing the Lutheran Church in Norway. The debate was re-kindled following the publication in recent days of a theological report in which the question is posed: “Do the Scriptures speak of homosexuality is such a way that the Church can claim a foundation for accepting homosexual unions?”. To this question the institute of theological reflection, Laerenemnd, was unable to reply. The 20 members of the institute were divided on the issue. But of the eleven bishops that form part it, six an unprecedented fact – pronounced in favour of gay unions. According to the report reports the APIC press agency the lack of consensus represents a blow for the Church. Those who oppose homosexual unions assert that “the biblical texts are based on the fact that God created the human being in the form of male and female and that the differentiation of the sexes is the expression of an order of creation that implies that man and women are made for each other and have the responsibility of perpetuating the species”.
