The case history of norvegian lutheran church: how to work to move from marginality to full inclusion
Abstract of the report of Nils RIedl* (Norway), Conference ‘LGBT people and Christian churches in Europe: fears and opportunities for full acceptance and inclusion’, Rome, June 10th 2011
The church of Norway has been thru a big change since the beginning of 1990. From being mostly closed and conservative, to be more open and inclusive.
The issue of homosexuality has been given attention in the public as well in the church it self. For sure the development of civil rights and the partnership law in 1993 has been important for this.
But changes in the church is not just about change of politics and theology, it’s first of all about faces – giving inputs and telling stories.
Gay and lesbians are believers – we have calls, we work within the church. We are not just outside – but parts of the beating heart of the living church.
* Nils Jøran Riedl has been a part of the Christian gay and lesbian liberation movement in Oslo for 25 years. He will give inputs for what mite be done and what changes are possible to receive within our churses.
He was leading Open Church group in a period of big changes. He is a theologian and an artist. He work today as a University Chaplain at Norwegian Business School.