Decisions of the General Synod 2025

A major decision at this year’s General Synod was Tuesday’s decision on a new direction for the Church of Sweden’s forestry. The approach is based on four dimensions of sustainability: spiritual, ecological, social and economic. Read more about the decision here (swedish).

The General Synod also decided that guidelines should be drawn up that make it possible to ask priests about their attitude towards marrying same-sex couples when hiring.

Other decisions taken were that of exploring alternative paths to the priesthood to make it easier to change careers in mid-life and instructing the Central Board to issue a statement on the introduction of a lower age for custodial sentences for young people.

The General Synod also issued its own statement on the situation in Israel-Palestine.

Selected decisions in brief

TU 2025:11 Requirement for openness to marrying all couples when appointing priests
The General Synod decided on guidelines clarifying that applicants for positions as priests could be asked about their willingness to marry all couples.

KI 2025:02 Priest training
The General Synod decided to investigate the possibility of an alternative training path for priests in the Church of Sweden.

O2025:2 Funeral matters
The General Synod decided that a documentary basis for a change in legislation should be drafted so that the revenue from recycled metals in crematoria could be used to reduce burial fees.

SK 2025:3 Presence and spiritual care in the Swedish National Board of Institutional Care’s institutions and youth prisons

The General Synod decided to instruct the Central Board of the Church of Sweden to make a statement on the introduction of a lower age for custodial sentences, and to expand institutional pastoral care to include children.

Eu 2025:3 The Church of Sweden, Israel and Palestine
The General Synod decided that the Church of Sweden should reaffirm its position that the situation in Palestine/Israel should be assessed on the basis of international law, and that it should express its support for the church leaders in Jerusalem to continue working for peace, justice and reconciliation.

All decisions are available to read on the General Synod’s website (swedish).

General Synod 2025 – General Synod
The General Synod is the highest decision-making body of the Church of Sweden, deciding on issues common to the entire Church of Sweden concerning faith, order and organisation. This year 128 motions, seven written communications and four annual reports were considered.