Missionary organisations to lose funding over views on homosexuals
17/10/2011
Submitted by
ILGA-Europe
Original article: http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/20...er_views_on_homosexuals_2950979.html
The Parish Union of Helsinki is planning to end financial support to three missionary organisations due to their negative attitudes towards the ordination of women and sexual minorities.
The Parish Union annually gives three percent of its tax revenue—some three million euros—to foreign aid. The money is channelled through several missionary organisations and Finn Church Aid, which carries out humanitarian work.
Following heated public debate on the church's attitude towards homosexuals, the Parish Union took a more critical look at its partner organisations.
“The issue at hand is one of overall policy,” says director of communications of the Helsinki Parish Union, Seppo Simola. “The discussion in our council is leaning towards removing support.”
An end to financial subsidies looms for the Finnish Lutheran Mission, the Finnish Lutheran Overseas Mission and the Lutheran Evangelical Association of Finland.
The church council will make its final decision on November 11.
The Parish Union of Helsinki is planning to end financial support to three missionary organisations due to their negative attitudes towards the ordination of women and sexual minorities.
The Parish Union annually gives three percent of its tax revenue—some three million euros—to foreign aid. The money is channelled through several missionary organisations and Finn Church Aid, which carries out humanitarian work.
Following heated public debate on the church's attitude towards homosexuals, the Parish Union took a more critical look at its partner organisations.
“The issue at hand is one of overall policy,” says director of communications of the Helsinki Parish Union, Seppo Simola. “The discussion in our council is leaning towards removing support.”
An end to financial subsidies looms for the Finnish Lutheran Mission, the Finnish Lutheran Overseas Mission and the Lutheran Evangelical Association of Finland.
The church council will make its final decision on November 11.
