The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has officially rejected a proposal to recognise same-sex marriages alongside heterosexual unions in its constitution. 

The measure fell 15 votes short of the three-quarters majority required to pass.

Although the church’s official doctrine continues to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, priests are still permitted to conduct same-sex weddings without fear of disciplinary action.

The proposal, developed by the Bishops’ Conference, sought to introduce two parallel concepts of marriage within the denomination - one as a union between a man and a woman, the other as a union between two people - giving clergy the choice to either officiate or decline such ceremonies.

Council member Heikki Holma described the debate as “respectful and free from division,” while Suvi Routasalo expressed hope for change, calling the proposal “the present and the future”.

Following the vote, the Archbishop of Turku and Finland, the Most Rev Tapio Luoma, said: “If the Church does not take world change seriously, it will ultimately be unable to change the world itself.” He also reaffirmed his support, predicting the issue will return to the church's assembly until it is eventually approved.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland is the largest religious denomination in the country.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Finland since March 2017.