Archbishop Kari Mäkinen of Finland’s Lutheran Evangelical Church has publicly apologised for playing a part in discrimination against LGBT people in Finnish society.
Mäkinen stated that “cruelty is cruelty” even is it has become more subtle. He made the following comments at the public forum SuomiAreena.
“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. Without any explanations or prevarications.” he said.
The Archbishop reportedly hopes that his apology will encourage others in the church to follow suit, and help people to be aware that discrimination against LGBT people in not acceptable.