The Archbishop of Finland's Evangelical Lutheran Church has apologized for the cruel treatment received by gay people and other sexual minorities.
The Archbishop of Finland's Evangelical Lutheran Church has apologized for the cruel treatment of gay people and other sexual minorities, reports YLE Uutiset.
Speaking at the public forum SuomiAreena, Kari Mäkinen said:
“When I think of the outside pressure and treatment that we have been guilty of displaying towards sexual minorities as a church and as a society for decades and how it still continues, I think it's time for an apology.”
Mäkinen said he hoped his apology would encourage others to follow suit.
In June, Finland's Parliament rejected a measure that would have legalized “gender-neutral marriage”, making it possible for same-sex couples to marry.