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Norway Knows How
Abstract: General Synod of the Church of Norway removes prohibition of clergy in same-sex relationships and allows local bishops to decide.
On November 19, the General Synod of the Church of Norway voted (50 to 34 with 2 abstentions) to allow individual bishops to appoint people in "registered same-sex relationships" to the church's ordained ministry. (News release)
This decision sets aside a guideline (established in 1995 and re-affirmed in 1997) that prohibited those in same-sex partnerships from serving as ordained ministers. The church's official announcement reads in part:
The 2007 General Synod confirms that there is still a basis in the church in support of not ordaining, appointing, or granting an episcopal letter of recommendation to persons living in same-sex partnership if the relevant church body believes that such steps run counter to the teaching and the purpose of the church, or would be considered not to serve the well-being of the congregations. The Synod recognizes, however, that there is no longer the same degree of consensus in the Church of Norway on this issue, as there was in 1995 and 1997. Both the church's Doctrinal Commission and the Bishops' Conference are now divided near the middle in their assessment whether persons living in same-sex partnership should be allowed to serve in ordained ministry.
Therefore, the 2007 General Synod states that the ecclesial bodies responsible for appointments may either appoint, or not appoint, persons living in same-sex partnership, without being in breach of Norwegian law or guidelines by the General Synod. The General Synod bases this decision on the exisiting reality that the formal authority in matters of ordination, and appointment to positions of ordained ministry, lies not with the General Synod, but with the relevant bishops and appointing church bodies.
The decision requests the bishops to have a predictable practice whether or not they will ordain homosexual persons living in partnership, and/or provide them with the episcopal letter of recommendation to the parishes they are to serve. The bishops are also requested to consult with each other on how they handle cases where bishops with different practices are involved.
Not surprisingly, this is a sign of hope for some and the end of the world for others: In a radio broadcast, Marit Tingelstad, head of the Bishop's Council for southeastern Norway's Hamar district, said, "This will create peace in the church, and security for homosexual clergy."
Bishop Ole D. Hagesaeter, of the Bjoergvin district, said, "This is a sad day for the church. It will be a splitting factor and lead to many feeling homeless in the church."
