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Church of Sweden Elects Lesbian Bishop
RNS/ENI
June 2, 2009
UPPSALA, Sweden (RNS/ENI) -- The newly-elected Lutheran bishop of Stockholm says that being a lesbian means she wants to stand alongside people who feel powerless.
"I know what it is to be called into question," the Rev. Eva Brunne said in an article on the Web site of the Church of Sweden after her Tuesday (May 26) election. "I am in the lucky situation that I have power and I can use it for the benefit of those who have no power."
Brunne, who is currently the dean of the Stockholm diocese, is the first Church of Sweden bishop to live in a registered homosexual partnership, the Uppsala-headquartered church said, and she is believed to be the first openly lesbian bishop in the world.
Brunne, 55, lives with priest Gunilla Linden in a partnership that has received a church blessing. They have a three-year-old son.
"Once you have been baptized, no one can say you cannot be part of the Church because you are homo-, bi-, or transsexual," the Web site of the French periodical Ttu quoted Brunne as saying.
She clinched the post by 413 votes against 365 votes for Hans Ulfvebrand; she will succeed Bishop Caroline Krook, who is to retire in November.
In 2003, the consecration of a V. Eugene Robinson, an openly gay man who lives with a male partner, as the Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire triggered a deep division and threatened a schism in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Lutheran churches throughout the world hold different views about matters of human sexuality, including the acceptance of homosexuals in church life and blessings for same-sex relationships.
The Church of Sweden, which offers a special blessing for same-sex couples, has faced criticism from some other Lutheran churches, particularly those in African countries.
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service and Ecumenical News International. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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God Bless America
6/2/2009 9:01 PM
Like so many in this age - the Swedish church has also left the teachings of Holy Scripture and is no longer a Christian Church, but is an evil abomination - a really sick and twisted large cult.
Stand fast Church! PRAY! The Bridegroom is coming soon!
Stand fast Church! PRAY! The Bridegroom is coming soon!
dasgraham67
6/2/2009 5:49 PM
this is what it has come to ! obviously people will turn the truth of God into a lie to say whatever they want it to say and interprete the way that justifies there behavior, the church as a body should condemn this, how sad it is
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Romans 5:26-27;
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
For what reason:::?19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
My Lord says it very well and clear.God has given them over to a demased mind,because that is what they chose, so being a jentleman,He gave them what they wanted.