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HELSINKI, March 1, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Finland has allowed homosexual couples 18 and older to legally register their unions in a civil ceremony. The legislation gives homosexual couples the same economic privileges as married couples but does not allow adoption of children or sharing of surnames.

Ananova reports that the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, to which 85 per cent of the 5.2 million population belongs, will not publish an official stand on homosexual partnerships. However, Lutheran Archbishop Jukka Paarmas said priests can visit and pray with homosexual couples in their homes but could not offer a blessing.

See the Ananova coverage:  https://www.ananova.com/yournews/story/sm_533639.html