WARSAW, Poland (CNS) – A Norwegian bishop said the country’s clergy will no longer officiate at civil weddings, after the predominant Lutheran Church’s governing synod voted to conduct gay marriages in Norway.

Bishop Bernt Eidsvig of Oslo said that he would have to seek permission from the Vatican, but added, “It’s clear we must distinguish our own church marriages from others.”

“This is a matter of liturgy, so it doesn’t necessarily reflect broader change in our society’s moral values. But politicians may now get aggressive toward churches who resist these weddings, so the best option is for us to stop conducting marriages on the state’s behalf.”

He said Norwegian Catholics “hope to maintain good relations with the Lutheran Church,” but said they would “make it clear we don’t understand their decision and hope they’ll still reconsider it.”

Bishop Eidsvig said that many Norwegians remained strongly opposed to same-sex marriage.