On behalf of the Church of Norway, presiding bishop Olav Fykse Tveit has issued a formal apology to LGBTQ+ individuals for the pain and harm the church has caused over the years:
“The Church of Norway has caused LGBTQ+ people shame, great harm and pain. This should never have happened. Therefore, today I say: My sincere apologies!”
The apology was performed on a press conference at London Pub, one of the most popular bars for the LGBTQ+ community in Oslo. After the apology at London Pub, an evening service in Oslo Cathedral followed.
Fykse Tveit acknowledges the wounds inflicted by the Church’s teachings, practices, and silence, and recognizes the deep impact this has had on the lives of many LGBTQ+ people.
The apology marks a significant moment in the Church’s ongoing journey toward reconciliation, inclusion, and justice.
Since 2007, gay people have been able to work as priests, and since 2017, the church has permitted marriage between people of the same sex.
Fykse Tveit also took time during the press conference to thank everyone who contributed to change within the church and society:
“Thank you to all who have fought for themselves and for others. Thank you to you who fought alone, and to you who fought through organising yourself. Thank you to you who raised the flag, awaiting new decisions in the church. Without you, we would not be here today.”
The Church of Norway is the majority church in Norway, with 64 % of all Norwegians.