Fred Phelps just got some fuel for his Sweden-hating hellfire. As we reported back in December, The Church of Sweden - a Lutheran denomination - announced plans to allow gay civil unions.

While initially they planned on keeping gay and straight marriages distinct, it seems they may have had a change of heart. The Local reports:

The Church of Sweden's leaders have said that they are willing to allow gay people to marry in church on the same basis as heterosexual couples, although bishops are unsure whether to call the unions marriage.

The decision will make the church the first major denomination in the world to allow full gay church marriage in practice.

We are prepared to carry out partnerships for homosexuals that have the force of law... It is important that the Church of Sweden can be ecumenically weighty by being one step ahead and showing potential pathways. We are first in this context.

Swedish bishops say yes to gay church weddings [The Local]