German Evangelicals approve "marriages" with multiple partners
The flag of the polyamory community – a symbol of open relationships between multiple partners at a demonstration in Germany. Photo: baznica.info
On July 24, 2025, the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck (Germany) officially allowed its pastors to bless polyamorous unions – relationships involving more than two adult partners who know each other and are in a voluntary relation, reports Baznica.info.
This is the first regional church within the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) to make such a decision at an official level. The Synod's decision states that the aim of the innovation is to make pastoral practice more «realistic» and supportive of people in different forms of relationships.
The decision sparked a strong reaction in society. According to surveys, 48% of German citizens oppose the blessing of such unions, 26% support it, and the rest are undecided. Religious communities, particularly Catholics, Muslims, evangelical free churches, and more traditional Lutheran communities within the EKD, have expressed strong opposition.
Some other regional churches of the EKD – for example, in Bavaria, Rhineland, and Northern Germany – had previously allowed pastors to decide for themselves whether to bless such unions. Currently, the Evangelical Church in Germany is discussing possible changes to the official church document – the «Order of Life» (Lebensordnung), which regulates behavior and norms for the clergy.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Lutherans advocate for the removal of the filioque from the Nicene Creed.
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.