French Protestants bless gay marriage

FRANCE'S Protestant church has allowed its 500 vicars to give a blessing to same-sex couples getting married.

The measure was passed at a conference in Sète on Sunday by a vote of 94 to three.

Same-sex marriage was legalised in France in 2013 but vicars who are opposed to the idea will not be forced to bless gay couples in their church.

Elisabeth Saint-Guily, president of the gay Christian movement 'David et Jonathan' described the move as "highly symbolic" and "a strong sign of inclusion".

Religious historian Odon Vallet told 20 Minutes: "The Protestant church, unlike the Catholic church, is very democratic. Over the past few years, more and more vicars have become favourable to recognising same-sex unions. Some have already been practising unofficial blessings.

"Protestants have a more symbolic, less literal interpretation of the Bible. It is hard for churches to ignore the evolution of society."

He estimates that four in 10 Catholic priests are also open to the idea of same-sex marriage and that some of them perform blessings even if the church does not recognise it.