Gays and lesbians welcome before the altar
LIV BERIT TESSEM
NTB
UPDATED: 11.APR. 2016 6:34 P.M. PUBLISHED: 11.APR. 2016 5:08 P.M.
It was a complete victory for The Open People's Church cause; homosexuals the right to marry in the Norwegian Church when the General Synod voted on the matter Monday. Open People's church deputy, Kristin Gunnleiksrud Raaum and Head Gardener Sandakerveien Nielsen were joined by nearly 86 delegates to vote for the historic decision.
Synod wishes with a large majority of votes, gays and lesbians welcome to get married in the new National Church.
Synod in Trondheim decided Monday that gays and lesbians can marry in church.
88 of 115 Synod delegates made an end to a quarter century strife within the Norwegian Church on the issue of same sex marriage.
Priests and church employees may refuse to preform the wedding ceremony of gays if it goes against their conscience.
The new liturgy will be in addition to current marriage liturgy that apply to heterosexual couples. This liturgy will be adopted at the General Synod next year.
A day of Joy
- This is a happy day, says Ingvild Endestad, newly elected leader of FRI (Association for gender and sexual diversity, former LLH, the National Association for lesbians and gays).
- It's a historic day, it is love that has overcome, it is a fight many have been fighting for years. This year The Open People's Church as a group celebrates 40 years of actively working for giving gays and lesbians the right to be married in the Church. The decision reflects the clear and unambiguous Church Election in the autumn, where The Open People's church got great support in the majority of the diocesan council, said Endestad.
She said the union initially wanted a joint marriage liturgy, but is satisfied that the old is retained and the creation of a new and modern liturgy.
- I'm sure it will be popular with many couples in the future, she says.
While rainbow flag of the gays came out on top today many Bible-believing and tradition-bound Christians welcomed the news of the Synod resolutions with despair.
Superficial treatment
Øvind Benestand was one of the 31 delegates at the General Synod voted against the proposal.
He represents The Diocese council in Agder and Telemark and directs the union Morfarbarn (Motherfatherchild) who have working to secure "Christian family values."
- It is a sad but expected decision and I'm disappointed how superficial matter has been treated at the General Synod. It seems as if its only concern was a partnership between two people, but the whole family perspective, surrogacy and egg donation was absent in the debate. This is a dramatic change for the Norwegian Church and it will have serious consequences for religious education, Sunday School and confirmation instruction.
Benestad do not think the decision will lead to a rush of resignations at first, but many will fear that the Liberal majority in the General Synod may cause the church to change in the future.
- In the long term this decision have serious consequences, he says he will intensify education - and awareness efforts to preserve family values in harmony with the Bible.
Twitter Cheers
But the decision led to loud cheers to welcome gays and lesbians before the altar of next year.
"Wonderful news from General Synod," tweeted Linda Hofstad Helleland, religion and belief minister. - "People's Church shows that it is generous and open, I am hoping the liturgy is in place in 2017".
The Equality and Anti-Discrimination delegate Hanne Bjurstrøm congratulated the Church with a wise decision, which means a lot to many people. One of her colleagues, Ole-Fredrik Einarsen, was head of The Open People's church group in the 80's.
- I almost started to cry. A forty year struggle is crowned with victory, he said.
- Today's decision would have been unthinkable at the time. When the fight was all about being accepted as a Christian and gay. Up until 1972 it was criminal to love someone of the same sex. It makes today an historic victory.
The bishops gathered
The different visions was over the weekend gathered in a joint compromise proposal that the bishops' leader, president Helga Haugland Byfuglien clarified that all the bishops gathered behind.
- In the episcopal meeting there are differering views, but we stand united behind the proposed resolution. We do not want this matter to be held up in in a matter of procedure and be postponed, said Byfuglien when she presented the proposal.
Women leaders
53 percent of the delegates at the General Synod are women. It was reflected in the elections of new leaders. Deputy Chair in The Open People's church, Kristin Gunleiksrud Raaum from Oslo diocesan council, was elected as new chairman until 2020 by a large majority.
Sara Kristine Eira (36) from Kautokeino new head of Sami Church.
The Synod chose two more women in senior positions with Kristine Sandmæl (46) from Asker as the new chairman of the Mellomkirkelig råd (Untranslatable) and Sara Kristine Eira (36) from Kautokeino new head of Sami Church.
In addition, Helga Haugland Byfuglien was previously preses (Norwegian title of a chosen leader of the synod in the Norwegian Church) of the Norwegian Church.
The newly elected church council leader said the following about that all the four most important leading positions in the church now held by women.
No big deal
- I think that's quite natural. Church bodies have previously been directed by a majority of men, or exclusively men. Now there are four women. That's how it is. No big deal, I think. It only makes sense, says Raaum said.
Raaum insists she's elected with basis in The Open People's Church program making her obligated also to represent those that disagree, the minority view. She pleaded to be believed that the minority is protected.
Oslo Bishop Ole Kristian Kvarme backed the church council leader by emphasizing that it is precisely to create a permanent space for the minority that he along with the other bishops supported the decision.
From the secular newspaper Aftenposten.
Original.Sorry about the bad English. It was really hard to translate. If something is unclear, or doesn't make sense please ask. I will do my best to answer.
Before the vote on Monday, Øyvind Benestad member of Agder and Telemark bishop's counsel had the word. He is also the main spokesman of 'The Living people's Church' on the opposite side of 'The Open People's Church' in the church election last year.
Think of the two organisations as you would think of lobbyists. Lobbying for their particular view.
Benestad pointed out that 'The Living People's Church @' was admitted into the election with 30 of its recommended representatives while in the synod, while 'The Open People's Church #' had 45 candidates elected.
@ Against
# Pro
In Norway there is a democratic system of election in the church where members of the church are allowed to vote. 74.3% of Norwegians were members of the state Church of Norway as of the end of 2014. I think the election and the outcome of the synod reflects the general societal changes in attitude towards same sex relationships and marriage more so than a desire to stay true to the word of God.Seven out of ten Norwegians never open the Bible a survey found in 2014 (Source). In-guild discussion;
Tolerance, and acceptance of the LGBTQA community 
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