Church of Norway lifts ban on partnered gay clergy

Oslo, Norway (AHN) - Norway's state Evangelical-Lutheran church lifted a ban Friday and will allow clergies in same sex relationships to be ordained.

Currently, the church allows homosexuals to serve in the clergy as long as they are not living with their gay partner.

The new ruling leaves it up to each of the country's 11 bishops to make individual decision on whether to employ those clergies who are in homosexual partnerships. Earlier this year, six bishops had voted on easing the ban.

The 86 members of the highest decision-making body, the general synod, voted 50-34 to approve a new principle which stated that there were two opposite views, both based on church teachings, on same-sex relationships.