The Nordic nation of Finland has become the latest country to legalize same-sex marriage.

The nation's parliament narrowly approved a bill legalizing gay marriage.

The news were followed by a congratulatory message from Finland's Lutheran archbishop; however, his statement has led to mass resignations from the church.

Finland became the 12th European nation to legalize same-sex country and the last Nordic country to do so when its parliament passed a new law over the weekend, according to The Guardian.

The Finnish parliament voted 105 in favor and 92 against the amendment legalizing marriage equality. Finland had legalized same-sex civil unions back in 2002 but the new law will allow same-sex couples to adopt children and share the same last name.

"Finland should strive to become a society where discrimination does not exist, human rights are respected and two adults can marry regardless of their sexual orientation," said Prime Minister Alexander Stubb of the ruling center-right party.

Opponents to the law, including nationalist Finns Party legislator Mika Niikko, argued children would be adversely affected by not having a mother and father.

"This is a question of the future of our children and the whole society, and such changes should not be made without thorough evaluation of their impact," he said.

However, the law received unexpected support from Kari Mäkinen, the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, according to the Helsinki Times.

"We must now consider what the decision means for the church," he said. "The church will for the present definitely live according to its own decisions and teach according to its own decisions, but attitudes do change."

He acknowledged some people's concerns about what the law would mean for the church and Finland.

"What I want to say to them is that marriage is not about to lose its significance, the creed of the church is not in jeopardy, the value of no one is decreasing -- on the contrary," he said.

However, his show of support for same-sex marriage has led to an exodus from the Finnish Lutheran church. Around 13,000 people have already left the church. By doing so, they are exempt from paying taxes to the church, its only income.