Italian Protestant denominations approve same-sex blessings

Rome (ENI). The joint synod of Italy's Waldensian and Methodist Protestant churches has, as the denominations' highest governing body, agreed to authorise the blessing of same-sex couples in church under certain conditions.

Synod president Marco Bouchard described the 26 August decision as "a clear and firm step forward that needs to be placed into a context that will be better defined, especially the relationship between churches and homosexual couples". The synod statement said, "The words and practice of Jesus, as seen in the Gospel, call us to welcome each experience and each choice marked by God's love, freely and consciously chosen." Before the synod, a group of Waldensians including a member of the Italian parliament, Lucio Malan, took out a paid advertisement in the Protestant weekly newspaper Riforma, warning that same-sex blessings risked splitting the churches, and affecting ecumenical relationships.

Die Friedensverantwortung der Kirche Ein „Nein ohne jedes Ja“ zu Massenvernichtungswaffen „Die Friedensfrage ist eine Bekenntnisfrage“ - erkannte der Reformierte Bund im Angesicht der atomaren Aufrüstung nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg.